Resolution on SPAK, majority demands avoidance of detentions

The socialist majority approved on July 23 the resolution against SPAK provided by Top Channel, which, among other things, instructs it to avoid detentions.

The resolution, which bears the signature of the Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi, has been sent to SPAK and requires it to draft an action plan for the implementation of the 32 recommendations of 2026 by August 23. The Assembly emphasizes to the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime to review the practice of personal security measures, increasing the use of alternative measures in accordance with European human rights standards.

"The Assembly recommends for the year 2026 the analysis every 4 months of the duration of pre-trial detention and its relationship with final sentences, with the aim of identifying cases when the time spent in pre-trial detention approaches or substantially covers the final sentence, as well as taking measures to avoid this practice," the Assembly's Resolution on Recommendations for SPAK states.

Furthermore, it is considered necessary to reduce the stock of cases carried over and improve the files sent for trial, especially with regard to evidentiary standards.

The document also lists the importance of strengthening capacities for parallel financial and property investigations. The Assembly recommends that SPAK increase its focus on confiscating assets in corruption cases, especially at high levels of public administration, in order for criminal prosecution to not be limited only to individual responsibility, but also to produce a real blow to illegal economic gain.

"The Assembly recommends for 2026 the development of periodic analyses of the effectiveness of criminal prosecution in cases involving high-ranking officials and former officials, including not only the number of proceedings and persons sent to court, but also the rate of asset confiscation. The continuation of the consolidation of results in the investigation and prosecution of corruption and organized crime cases, with the aim of increasing the number of proceedings that end with final court decisions, with a special focus on high-level corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking and criminal offenses committed within the framework of structured criminal groups," the Assembly's Resolution of Recommendations for SPAK states.

The Assembly also suggests accelerating the recruitment of financial investigators of the BKH and judicial police officers, distributing the workload in a balanced manner. The message is also left to deepen international cooperation and the advancement of the Electronic Case Management System, to strengthen transparency with real-time statistical reporting.

In the list of recommendations, among other things, the Assembly instructs the Special Anti-Corruption Structure to analyze, in accordance with the EU recommendation, the need to review the rules and procedures related to the process of appointing the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, to clarify and guarantee open, competitive and expeditious processes./ Top Channel