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| Altin Dumani in fis office (archive) |
The head of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (locally known by the acronym SPAK) Altin Dumani recently gave an interview to the Italian media "La Rebbulica", where he talked about the Albanian mafia, the mission of SPAK and the involvement of politics with crime.
He stated that Albanians are involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, illegal immigration and computer fraud.
Based on what Dumani said, Albanians carry out these activities in Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Ancona, Turin, Bari, Brescia, Bergamo, Pordenone, Pisa and Lecce, but also in other EU countries.
He added, among other things, that they do not know if there is only one leader for criminal groups, but there are several.
FULL INTERVIEW:
Altin Dumani, in Albania you are the head of the Special National Prosecutor's Office against organized crime and Corruption and you are one of the most exposed magistrates in your country for the fight against the Albanian clans that have spread in Europe and in particular in Italy. Here they became partners in various criminal organizations. What unites them and what is their job?
Altin Dumani: Like any criminal organization, the goal of these groups led by Albanian citizens is to get rich illegally through criminal activities. In this context, their goals and objectives, even in the context of cooperation with the Italian clans, do not change but aim at collecting money in violation of the law.
In which Italian cities, your investigations show the presence of strong Albanian criminal groups?
Altin Dumani: The joint investigative activities with the Italian judicial authorities reveal that in your country there are Albanian citizens involved in criminal offenses that are mainly related to drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and computer fraud. These criminal activities are suspected to have been committed in several cities such as: Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Ancona, Turin, Bari, Brescia, Bergamo, Pordenone, Pisa and Lecce.
With which Italian criminal or mafia groups do they have the greatest connections and interests?
Altin Dumani: The investigations so far have revealed the cooperation of Albanian groups with the Apulian clans, mainly in drug trafficking. In addition, a parallel investigation carried out by the magistrates of the Catania prosecutor's office revealed that an Albanian criminal group collaborated with persons connected to Cosa Nostra to launder a large sum of money. We have indications and data, which we share with the judicial authorities of your country, from which it emerges how Albanian groups cooperate with Italian clans or mafias.
Is there an expansion of Albanian clans in European countries?
Altin Dumani: It is difficult to say if there is an expansion, but what we notice is that these groups have managed to influence the cocaine and cannabis market in EU countries, being mainly active in Greece, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Great Britain. Large quantities of cocaine destined for the European market were seized in Albania.
Has it expanded to South America?
Altin Dumani: In the last decade, there has been an increase in bulk shipments of cocaine from South America controlled by Albanian groups destined mainly for EU countries. This development is the result of the strong ties they have managed to establish with drug cartels from Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Mexico.
Can we talk about the existence of an "Albanian mafia"?
Altin Dumani: The term "Albanian mafia" is rather a term used by the media, as it is not a legal term in Albanian criminal legislation. To return to the issue, it cannot be said that today we have criminal structures that resemble the Italian mafia, organizations such as Cosa Nostra, 'Ndrangheta, Camorra or Sacra Corona Unita. Albanian criminal groups are characterized by close family and social ties but without a clear hierarchy. They operate mainly in small groups and in cooperation with local organizations or with other organized Albanian organizations or criminal groups.
Is there a head of the Albanian clan in Italy or are there independent autonomous groups?
Altin Dumani: As far as we know today, we cannot say that we have a single leader of the Albanian groups or a "chief of leaders". Albanians stand out for their autonomous operational style, where of course there are cases of cooperation with other clans made up of Albanian citizens, other nationalities are not excluded.
Can corruption in Albania be considered a weapon in favor of the clans, with which "institutional" benefits are obtained?
Altin Dumani: Albanian clans, like any other criminal group, try to weaken the force of the law and for this purpose they constantly try to establish connections with the institutions through bribery or blackmail. In Albania, we are faced with this certainly disturbing phenomenon and it is one of the priorities of SPAK's work. During the investigations we conducted, several cases were found where members of organized crime recruited or bribed various police officers.
At what levels have corruption reached?
Altin Dumani: Corruption is a worrying phenomenon for countries in transition and Albania cannot avoid this problem. SPAK considers the fight against corruption of high state officials essential for the functioning of the rule of law and one of the main priorities of its work. Since its establishment, SPAK has sanctioned several magistrates, prosecutors, police officers, mayors and former mayors, a deputy minister, a former prosecutor general, and a former interior minister for crimes of corruption or abuse of office and has currently arrested a former minister and a member of the Parliament of Albania.
So, are there politicians or magistrates who collaborate with organized crime in Albania?
Altin Dumani: The links between crime and politics, including justice, are an Albanian phenomenon, and it is no coincidence that in our country a broad reform of the judicial system has been undertaken.
Where are the proceeds of drug trafficking, prostitution, and human trafficking reinvested?
Altin Dumani: There are other institutions that do detail analyzes to assess the risk of money laundering. But in general, based on the investigations carried out by SPAK, we can say that the sectors most affected by money laundering are construction, real estate, and lighting industry, gambling, and hotel tourism. Recently, the use of cryptocurrencies has also been noticed. An interesting case investigated by the SPAK was in the place of the Palermo builder Francesco Zummo (he is one of the protagonists of the shooting mobster from Palermo that Judge Giovanni Falcone had investigated) who tried to launder about 18 million euros through the Albanian banking institutions. SPAK has seized this amount and the proceedings are being reviewed by judges with the aim of the final seizure of the entire amount of 18 million and 400 thousand euros.
What is the greatest danger represented today by what we call the Albanian mafia?
Altin Dumani: The main danger of Albanian organized crime is its impact on the country's economy. Money laundering through various investments distorts the market economy and free competition. The strengthening of criminal groups also leads to the increase of violent conflicts between them, consequently harming the security of citizens.
What is your strategy to fight these clans?
Altin Dumani: Given that organized crime is transnational, SPAK has paid great attention to strengthening cooperation with foreign judicial authorities (such as EU countries or beyond). Cooperation with foreign judicial authorities includes the creation of joint investigative teams, parallel proceedings, and mutual legal assistance. Currently, the Special Prosecutor's Office has several joint investigation teams with Italian, British, French, German and Spanish judicial authorities. Parallel surveys were also conducted with countries such as Denmark and Norway. Seizure and confiscation of proceeds of crime are also part of this strategy. For this, the Department of Financial Investigation began work, consisting of investigators selected after a very rigorous process. In these three years, SPAK has managed to seize and confiscate movable and immovable property, companies and sums of money for over 100 million euros.