Gazment Bardhi, chairman of the opposition Parliamentary Group, has accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of maintaining power through ties to elements of organized crime.
In his reaction, Bardhi referred to a recent SPAK operation, where according to him, a person involved in drug trafficking turned out to have benefited from around 69 million euros from public funds.
He emphasizes that this case, according to the opposition, also explains the Prime Minister's refusal to be present in Parliament and to answer questions regarding the impact of organized crime in the construction sector.
"CRIME, CRIME-DRUGS DRUGS"
7.5 tons of trafficked cocaine.
50 public tenders from Edi Rama's government.
Over 69 million euros in contracts.
232 assets (around 12 million euros) seized by SPAK.
This is a brief profile of the criminal and economic activity of just one Albanian cartel that used the state to launder drug money.
Like Jetmir Pepa, there are many criminal groups in Albania that traffic cocaine and that the government provides with construction permits or strategic investor status.
This latest case brought to justice is not isolated. This is the model on which Edi Rama has built and maintains power.
This is why Edi Rama refuses to come to parliament and answer for the influence of organized crime in construction, for money laundering through construction permits.
With Edi Rama at the head of the government, dirty money is not hidden, it is even legalized to serve him to stay in power, through buying, blackmailing, and intimidating voters.
The recycling of dirty money in construction, projects and state contracts is the reason why Edi Rama is hiding from the debate about the latest State Department report on Albania.
The report says it in black and white: construction is one of the main channels for money laundering in Albania.
"Edi Rama can hide today, he can remain silent again tomorrow, but the day when he will answer for why he made the state one with crime is inevitable." - writes Bardhi on Facebook.
