SPAK concludes investigation into '5D' case, refers former UKT officials to trial

December 26, 2024 — The Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has completed its investigation into the "5D" case, referring eight individuals, including two former officials of the Tirana public utility "Ujësjellës Kanalizime Tiranë" (UKT), to trial on charges of corruption, money laundering, and breaching public procurement rules.

Redi Molla, former UKT Director-General, and Mariglen Qato, former Director of UKT's Support Department, were found to have controlled the company "5D Konstruksion" through intermediaries. The company secured public contracts worth over 192 million leks (approximately 1.6 million euros) between 2016 and 2020, bypassing procurement regulations.

SPAK's investigation revealed that Molla and Qato manipulated public procurement procedures to funnel contracts to "5D Konstruksion." The company won seven tenders during Molla’s tenure and continued to secure contracts under Qato’s watch. The contracts were linked to entities including the Municipality of Tirana and Tirana Parking.

The total financial benefit from these unlawful contracts amounted to 192 million leks. SPAK also uncovered money laundering, with illegal proceeds funneled back into the company and used to acquire assets.

SPAK has seized various assets, including the company and real estate holdings valued at 333 million leks. Those referred to trial include:

Redi Molla: facing charges of corruption, money laundering, and failing to declare assets.
Mariglen Qato: facing similar charges.
Taulant Tusha, Enton Punavija, Julian Zanaj, and Albano Janku: accused of violating tender rules.
Nestor Muhametllari: charged with active corruption.
"5D Konstruksion": accused of corruption and money laundering.
SPAK has requested the trial to begin and for the defendants' assets to be seized.