Albania's Special Court of Appeals Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has increased the sentence against Oltion Bistri, the former head of the Police Operational Directorate, handing him a final prison term of seven years and four months for corruption and money laundering.
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According to the appellate court's ruling, Bistri was found guilty of corruption and laundering proceeds of criminal activity, receiving separate sentences of five years and seven years in prison, respectively.
Following the legal combination of the sentences, the court initially established a total prison term of 11 years. However, the application of the abbreviated trial procedure reduced his final sentence to seven years and four months.
The ruling represents a tougher outcome for the former senior police official, whose case emerged from a major investigation into alleged links between criminal networks and law enforcement authorities.
Other Defendants Also Receive Prison Sentences
The Special Court of Appeals also ruled on the sentences of other defendants involved in the same case.
The penalties, following the application of the abbreviated trial procedure, were as follows:
- Behar Brajoviç: 8 years and 8 months in prison.
- Asmer Bilali: 5 years and 8 months in prison.
- Edmond Preka: 7 years in prison.
- Oltion Bistri: 7 years and 4 months in prison.
The court also ordered the confiscation of assets that had been seized during the investigation.
Arrested Alongside Businessman Pëllumb Gjoka
Oltion Bistri was arrested as part of a major law enforcement operation that also led to the detention of businessman Pëllumb Gjoka, former police official Ardit Hasanbega and Kukës prosecutor Xhevahir Lita.
Thirteen other individuals were also arrested during the operation.
The investigation focused on alleged connections between organized criminal groups and public officials suspected of abusing their positions or providing assistance to criminal activities.
The case attracted considerable attention because of the alleged involvement of individuals holding important positions within Albania's police and justice institutions.
International Investigation Involving Europol and Eurojust
The investigation was conducted through cooperation between Albanian authorities, Europol, Eurojust and judicial and law enforcement institutions in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The international dimension of the case reflects the cross-border nature of the alleged criminal activities and the importance of cooperation between European authorities in investigating organized crime.
The prosecution's case includes serious allegations involving murder, unlawful deprivation of liberty, drug trafficking and money laundering, allegedly committed within the framework of a structured criminal group.
Public officials implicated in the investigation faced separate accusations, including corruption, abuse of office and the preparation of false expert assessments.
Confiscation of Assets and Accountability
Beyond the prison sentences, the appellate court's decision to confiscate assets seized during the investigation represents an important element of the proceedings.
The case has highlighted the challenges facing Albanian institutions in addressing alleged relationships between organized crime, financial interests and individuals holding positions of public authority.
With the appellate ruling, Bistri's prison sentence has been set at seven years and four months, while the confiscation of the seized assets adds a financial dimension to the court's decision.