Former Albania international footballer and sports executive Igli Tare has been questioned by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) as part of an ongoing verification process into property assets connected to former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.
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| The graphic collage reflects the latest investigation by SPAK, where former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku is accused of hiding a luxury villa at the "White Rocks" resort in Dhërmi in the name of former footballer Igli Tare, causing the latter to be officially investigated for corruption and money laundering despite his denials. |
After leaving SPAK, Tare clarified that the apartment in question is fully owned by him and was purchased legally in 2018. He said he presented all necessary documentation, including notarized contracts and bank transfer records, to prove that the transaction was completed transparently and through official channels.
He rejected any suggestion that the property is connected to politics or public tenders.
A key part of his explanation centered on his relationship with Belinda Balluku. Tare described it as a very old friendship that goes back to childhood, saying their families have known each other for many years and maintained regular contact long before any political roles came into play.
Because of that friendship, he explained, he had occasionally allowed Balluku and her children to stay at the apartment in Dhërmi during holiday periods. He insisted that this was simply a personal gesture and had no financial or institutional dimension.
Tare also strongly denied any involvement in government contracts, tender processes, or any form of influence linked to Balluku’s political positions. He said he has never been part of any decision-making process in public administration and has no connection to the cases currently under investigation involving her.
Regarding some of the claims circulating in public debate, he suggested that certain references being made relate to older administrative matters that, in his view, have no relevance to the current inquiry and are legally outdated.
He also expressed concern about how the situation is being portrayed publicly, arguing that speculation risks damaging reputations before any legal conclusions are reached. According to him, everything he has done in relation to his property and finances has been completely transparent and properly documented.
The SPAK investigation into asset declarations continues as part of a broader effort to examine potential irregularities linked to public figures and their networks. At this stage, no formal accusations have been made against Tare in relation to the apartment itself, and the inquiry remains focused on clarification rather than charges.