Albania’s political scene has been jolted by a high-profile investigation: the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has registered Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku as a person under investigation in a probe related to alleged irregularities in public tenders and major infrastructure contracts. SPAK investigators have reportedly seized documents from companies linked to contracts for the Llogara tunnel and other projects as part of the inquiry.
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| Belinda Balluku leaves the SPAK offices |
According to multiple Albanian outlets, SPAK summoned Balluku to appear before prosecutors and investigative officers. Local reporting indicates the summons concerned specific contracts, including the supervision and awarding of works connected to the Llogara tunnel and other high-value infrastructure tenders; investigators reportedly moved to secure corporate documents from companies that benefitted from those tenders. Balluku has been described in reports as cooperating with investigators, and the Prime Minister has publicly stressed the presumption of innocence while reiterating that “justice has its work to do.
Context matters. Over recent years Albania has faced repeated allegations of corruption in large public projects—ranging from failed incinerator contracts to contested energy deals—which have fueled both domestic political battles and international concern about rule-of-law progress. International reporting on Albanian graft cases and high-profile prosecutions shows SPAK’s investigations are part of a broader, ongoing effort to address corruption in public procurement and administration.
What the allegations are (public reporting so far)
► Violation of equality in tenders: Reports cite SPAK registration of Balluku in a probe examining whether tender procedures were conducted fairly and transparently. Investigators are said to be examining whether the selection of contractors violated procurement rules.
► Llogara tunnel and linked contractor ties: Media have reported that companies connected through mergers or business ties won supervision or construction contracts for the Llogara tunnel and that SPAK secured documents from those firms as part of the inquiry.
► Political complaints and alleged financial damage: Opposition filings claim large-scale mismanagement in energy trading and infrastructure decisions that allegedly caused substantial financial losses; such complaints helped trigger or shape prosecutorial attention.
Legal and political implications
SPAK’s registration of a senior serving minister as a person under investigation is politically sensitive. If the prosecutors gather evidence that supports criminal charges, this could lead to further legal steps—indictments, pretrial measures or trials. Equally important are the political reverberations: opposition parties are already using the probe to demand accountability and for political leverage, while the ruling party frames the matter as a justice process that must be allowed to run its course. The Prime Minister has reiterated respect for judicial procedures and the presumption of innocence.
What to watch next
► Official SPAK statements — SPAK sometimes releases limited information; any formal charging decision or public filing will be decisive.
► Court filings and asset tracing — if SPAK moves beyond registration to indictment, expect court records and potential asset measures to appear.
► Political developments — opposition manoeuvres, parliamentary questions, or calls for resignations may intensify depending on findings and public reaction.
A caution on reporting and public discourse
Public and media reporting to date comprises allegations, complaints and investigative acts by prosecutors. In a functioning legal system, accusations must be tested in court; until formal charges are proven in a trial, the presumption of innocence remains a core legal principle. Journalists, policy observers and foreign partners will likely continue to monitor SPAK’s work closely because these inquiries are part of Albania’s broader rule-of-law and EU accession context.