Alqi Bllako, the former General Secretary of Albania’s Ministry of Environment, is set to stand trial over his alleged role in the controversial Tirana incinerator project.
The 38-year old former official has requested a shortened trial, which was approved by the court this week. The case will be heard on January 29, 2025, with Bllako and the Special Prosecutor’s Office both presenting their arguments. If found guilty, he could see his sentence reduced by one-third due to the shortened procedure.
Bllako faces charges of passive corruption, with prosecutors accusing him of accepting bribes totaling €119,000 and 7.5 million leks. The money allegedly came from Mirel Mërtiri and Klodian Zoto, the owners behind the incinerator project, in exchange for business favors.
The bribery scandal has rocked Albania, with multiple arrests tied to the incinerator projects in Tirana, Fier, and Elbasan. Bllako, former Minister Lefter Koka, and the two entrepreneurs are all under investigation.
Bllako was arrested in 2022 for his role in the Fier incinerator, initially facing charges of abuse of office and corruption. He was sentenced to four years in prison, but the sentence was reduced to two years and eight months following a shortened trial.
Despite the charges, Bllako denies all accusations. As the trial approaches, many will be watching to see how the case unfolds and whether it signals a shift in Albania’s ongoing fight against corruption.
