Albania’s Director General of Police, Skënder Hita, has suspended the entire command chain of the Himara Police Station that was on duty during the period when a five-story building was constructed without a permit in Qeparo.
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| Sk;nder Hita |
- Deputy Commissioner Ferit Merkaj, former head of Himara Police Station;
- Commissioner Emiljano Prenga, former head of a section and specialist in Himara;
- Deputy Commissioner Klodjan Petani, formerly a crime investigation specialist in Himara;
- Inspector Redin Çaushaj, a police patrol/specialist officer assigned to the area where the illegal construction was discovered.
According to the Albanian State Police, the immediate suspensions were ordered by the Directorate of Professional Standards following the discovery of an unauthorized building in the area known as “Sugë,” Qeparo, Himara.
Police said the building consisted of one underground floor and four floors above ground, and was allegedly constructed by an individual identified by the initials L.B., a resident of Laç.
The suspect was arrested by Himara Police, while three employees of the Himara Territorial Planning Inspectorate (IMT)—the chief inspector and two inspectors—were declared wanted on suspicion of abuse of office.
Construction Reportedly Began in December 2025
According to the police announcement, preliminary investigations indicate that construction of the building began in December 2025.
Police said that during this period, the Himara Police Station failed to take measures to prevent the unauthorized construction or to hold the person carrying out the work legally accountable.
The disciplinary investigation will therefore examine the responsibility of the officers who were part of the command structure or had direct responsibilities in the area while the construction was taking place.
The State Police said it remains committed to taking action against officers who fail to enforce the law, neglect their duties, abuse their positions or undermine public trust.
The case comes amid continued scrutiny of illegal construction and development in Albania's coastal areas, particularly in high-value destinations such as Himara and Qeparo.