In one of the most consequential anti-corruption decisions in recent Albanian political history, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has suspended Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Belinda Balluku, from all official functions. The court has also imposed a travel ban, preventing her from leaving Albania while investigations intensify.
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| Belinda Balluku sitting in parliament in one of the ministers' seats while holding her glasses with both hands to place them on her eyes, May 2025. |
Two Additional High-Ranking Officials Placed Under “House Arrest”
The same decision imposes two security measures—including house arrest—on two other senior officials suspected of involvement in the tender irregularities:
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Erald Elezi, head of KESH (Albanian Power Corporation)
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Gentian Gjyli, head of ARRSH (Albanian Road Authority)
Investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH) have been instructed to officially notify Balluku about the suspension and ensure strict enforcement of the court’s restrictions.
A Major Political Shockwave for Albania
With this ruling, Belinda Balluku becomes the highest-ranking official currently facing criminal charges under SPAK’s expanding anti-corruption mandate. Her suspension sends a strong message within the Albanian political sphere, where several individuals close to the Prime Minister have already faced investigations, resignations, or arrests.
Among the high-profile cases linked to SPAK in recent years are:
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Arben Ahmetaj (former Deputy PM)
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Erion Veliaj (Mayor of Tirana)
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Ilir Beqaj (former Minister of Health)
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Saimir Tahiri (former Minister of Interior)
This steadily growing list reflects a broader transformation in Albania’s judicial landscape, following EU-backed justice reforms and the empowerment of SPAK.
Court: Measures Are Secret for Now
In an official note, the Special Court emphasized that the security measures possess a classified character, preventing public disclosure at this stage:
“At this procedural moment, the court has no official announcement to share with the media or the public. At the appropriate procedural time, you will be notified.”
This statement highlights the sensitivity of the probe and the legal caution surrounding one of the government’s most powerful figures.
SPAK’s Accusations: Pre-Determined Winners and a €190 Million Tender
Two weeks prior to the suspension, SPAK formally charged Balluku with violating the equality of participants in public tenders during the construction of the Llogara Tunnel, a massive project valued at approximately €190 million.
SPAK claims that:
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Balluku oversaw and allegedly influenced every stage of the project
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The tender was directed toward a pre-selected winner
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Standard procurement criteria were bypassed
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The project ranks among the most expensive infrastructure initiatives of the last five years
If confirmed, these allegations could reshape the political landscape and intensify calls for wider accountability within Albania’s infrastructure sector.
Balluku Rejects the Accusations in Parliament
During Wednesday’s parliamentary session—coinciding with discussions on the government’s new budget—Belinda Balluku vigorously denied the claims, calling them politically motivated and unfounded:
“I must say a few words, not to compensate for the mud, allusions, half-truths and lies spread these days, but for my duty to everyone who believes in work and not in mud.”
Her defense underlined a growing divide between the government and the opposition, which has repeatedly demanded her resignation.
Prime Minister Edi Rama Defends Balluku
Prime Minister Edi Rama stood firmly behind his Deputy PM, accusing the opposition of exploiting the situation:
“You are turning this into a people’s prosecution…”
Rama’s stance suggests the government views the investigation as part of a broader political battle rather than an isolated legal matter.
A Long-Standing Figure in Rama’s Cabinet
Belinda Balluku joined Rama’s cabinet in 2019, overseeing Albania’s largest governmental portfolio, covering major sectors such as roads, energy, and strategic investments. Her suspension marks a dramatic turning point in her political career and raises questions about the future of Albania’s infrastructure agenda.