Tirana incinerator corruption case goes to trial

Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutors have charged 12 people and two companies over a 128-million-euro public-private waste contract in Tirana.

The case centers on a 2017 deal to build a landfill and incinerator and clean up existing waste sites in the capital. Prosecutors say the company behind the project received more than 11.3 billion lek from 2017 to 2023, but invested only about 21 million euros.

The defendants include businessmen Mirel Mertiri and Klodian Zoto, whom prosecutors say controlled the company, Integrated Energy BV SPV. They face charges including serious fraud, money laundering and involvement in a structured criminal group. Zoto is also accused of bribing senior officials.

Prosecutors say Mertiri and Zoto used fake invoices, shell companies and cash transfers to move about 1.28 billion lek and 16.7 million euros out of the company.

Former environment minister Lefter Koka and former senior official Alqi Bllako have already been tried separately over the project. Prosecutors say they are still investigating whether others should face charges.