Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SPAK) has requested a two-year prison sentence for Shkodër Mayor Benet Beci over alleged violations of public procurement rules, proposing that the sentence be converted into four years of probation.
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The prosecution has also asked the court to convert the prison sentence into four years of probation, meaning Beci would not serve time behind bars if the court accepts the request.
The case concerns a public procurement procedure worth approximately €700,000, launched by KESH in 2019 for a project titled "Strategic Development of the Energy Sector."
According to SPAK's investigation, Beci allegedly worked with six other officials to predetermine the winning company, Consulting & Management Albania sh.p.k., by creating unfair advantages during the tender process.
The alleged irregularities involved the calculation of the procurement budget, preparation of tender specifications, establishment of selection criteria and evaluation of bids.
The investigation was initiated following evidence obtained from the examination of materials seized during searches connected to former Road Authority director Evis Berberi.
Beci and six other defendants were sent to trial in January 2026. In July, the Special Court accepted the request for a shortened trial for Beci and five co-defendants, while proceedings against another defendant were separated.
The prosecution's sentencing request has now placed the case at a decisive stage, with the final decision resting with the Special Court.
The proposal to replace imprisonment with probation has also brought renewed attention to the question of how Albania's anti-corruption justice system handles cases involving senior public officials.
Benet Beci remains presumed innocent until a final court judgment establishes his guilt.