Gjergji Bezati & Blerim Shera Tender Scandal in Albania: Wanted Businessman Wins 725 Million Lek Vora Contract

 Gjergji Bezati and Blerim Shera are at the center of a growing national debate over political patronage and public funds in Albania.

 Mayor of Vora Blerim Shera (left) and businessman Gjergji Bezati (right) [cite: Shera on the left Gjergji Bezati and Blerim Shera are at the center of a growing national debate over political patronage and public funds in Albania., In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, Blerim Shera, the Mayor of Vora, recently approved a massive 725 million lek (old lek) public tender directly benefiting the fugitive entrepreneur.]. Shera faces intense public criticism after his administration awarded a 725 million lek public contract to Bezati, who remains wanted by law enforcement over the Elbasan environmental pollution case despite lower competing bids being rejected [cite: Gjergji Bezati, a prominent businessman currently wanted by law enforcement over the high-profile Elbasan environmental pollution case, has somehow managed to perform a miraculous magic trick: he remains completely invisible to the police, yet crystal clear to the state treasury, local media reports., Rather than protecting taxpayers' hard-earned money, the Vora Municipality under Blerim Shera's direction swept aside competing bids that offered significantly lower costs.

Gjergji Bezati, a prominent businessman currently wanted by law enforcement over the high-profile Elbasan environmental pollution case, has somehow managed to perform a miraculous magic trick: he remains completely invisible to the police, yet crystal clear to the state treasury, local media reports.

In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, Blerim Shera, the Mayor of Vora, recently approved a massive 725 million lek (old lek) public tender directly benefiting the fugitive entrepreneur.

Red Carpets and Rejected Savings: Inside the Vora Municipality Tender

Rather than protecting taxpayers' hard-earned money, the Vora Municipality under Blerim Shera's direction swept aside competing bids that offered significantly lower costs. Instead of selecting options that would save public funds, the municipality rolled out the red carpet for its preferred winner.

Key Takeaway: Cheaper, cost-effective bids were discarded to hand a 725 million lek contract to a businessman actively dodging arrest warrant execution.

A Trail of Fraud: KLSH Audit Findings & Project Delays

This isn't the first time Gjergji Bezati’s operations have raised red flags among state oversight bodies. A trail of questionable practices stretches from Pogradec to Marqines:

• KLSH Audit Reports: The High State Audit (Kontrolli i Lartë i Shtetit - KLSH) has repeatedly flagged severe irregularities and outright fraud involving public funds tied to these entities.
• Multi-Million Euro Delays: Major infrastructure projects have suffered deliberate drag-outs, stalling progress while millions of euros continue to flow out of public coffers.

When the Law Is Optional and Public Funds Are an Open Bar

The political message sent by Mayor Blerim Shera's decision is unmistakable: for well-connected allies of the ruling class, justice is merely a suggestion, while public money operates as an open bar.

While everyday citizens face the strict brunt of the law for minor infractions, powerful figures on the run still secure lucrative government contracts with zero friction. Whether SPAK or judicial authorities will intervene in Vora remains to be seen—or if the "invisible" Bezati will simply continue counting millions under the protection of local political power.