May 29, 2025
The Head of the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), Mr. Altin Dumani, in exercising the powers of the Public Commissioner, authorized Mr. Adnan Xholi, serving as the Chair of the Section Against Organized Crime and Terrorism at the Special Prosecution Office, to represent him before the Appeal Chamber during the judicial review of the appeal against Decision No. 538/2022, of the Independent Qualification Commission, concerning the assessee, Ms. Elona Alvora , serving as a prosecutor at the Judicial District Court of Vlora.
During the verification of attendance, the presiding judge informed the parties of the above-mentioned authorization issued by the Chair of the Special Prosecution Office, and after obtaining the consent of the assessee, proceeded with the hearing by presenting the appeal grounds.
The Chair of the Section against Organized Crime and Terrorism at the Special Prosecution Office, Mr. Adnan Xholi, upheld the grounds of the appeal and argued that, based on the factual and evidentiary situation, the investigation conducted by the Independent Qualification Commission had been insufficient to justify the confirmation in office of the assessee. Mr. Xholi requested the reopening of the investigation regarding the proficiency assessment criterion, and sought from the Prosecution Office and the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction in Vlora the criminal case files related to several complaints, including those for which the High Inspector of Justice (HIJ) had initiated investigations, pursuant to the IQC’s decision. In conclusion, the representative of the SPAK requested that, upon completion of the judicial review, the Chamber issue an alternative decision: either amend Decision no. 538/2022, of the Independent Qualification Commission or uphold said decision.
The assessee opposed the positions and requests presented by the Chair of the Section against Organized Crime and Terrorism at the Special Prosecution Office, specifically regarding the proficiency criterion, arguing that the cases referenced in the appeal had already been forwarded to the High Inspector of Justice for investigation.
Subsequently, the parties also presented their respective positions regarding two recently filed complaints before the Appeal Chamber. The representative of the SPAK stated that these complaints did not provide sufficient grounds for further investigation, while the assessee reiterated the explanations previously submitted.
Following deliberation in Chamber, the adjudicating panel decided to initiate the judicial investigation and admit as evidence the documents requested by the representative of the Special Prosecution Office. Pending the submission of the aforementioned documentation, the following hearing is scheduled to take place on June 24, 2025 at 13:00.
The appeal and the elements of the case have been published on the official SPAK website, in the “Re-evaluation Process” section: https://spak.gov.al/
The Head of the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime, in accordance with Article 179/b, paragraph 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, has been exercising the powers of the Public Commissioners as of 1 January 2025.