Chief Prosecutor Çela in the Parliament: Around 25 thousand cases completed in 2024, 10 thousand defendants convicted

2025-10-27 13:27:00, Aktualitet CNA

Chief Prosecutor Çela in the Parliament: Around 25 thousand cases

Chief Prosecutor Olsian Çela is reporting this Monday to the Assembly on the activities of the General Prosecutor's Office during 2024.

In his speech, Çela focused extensively on reporting on investigative matters and their efficiency.

Çela also shared figures, highlighting the conclusion of around 25,000 cases, the conviction of 10,000 defendants, 'prison arrest' requests for 3,078 people and 'compulsion to appear' requests for 2,611 people.

During 2024, 5201 decisions were executed, while 1090 decisions remained unexecuted.

Excerpt from the report:

During 2024, 24,591 cases were concluded, which represents an increase of 5% of completed cases compared to 2023, of which: 36.72% were sent for trial (9,030 cases with charges against 10,759 defendants were sent to court), 33.89% were dismissed, 26.91% were suspended. There is a tendency for the number of dismissed cases to increase compared to the previous year due to the implementation of the amnesty law.

13062 requests regarding personal security measures have been submitted to the court. On the other hand, statistical data on prosecutors' requests for the imposition of security measures show that for the year 2024, for about 60% of registered defendants (or for about 34% of persons under investigation) the imposition of a coercive security measure has been requested. Meanwhile, it turns out that approximately 59.5% of requests are related to the imposition of a security measure with arrest, these measures being requested for almost 36% of registered defendants (or about 20% of persons under investigation). In 2023, the imposition of a coercive security measure has been requested for over 55% of registered defendants (or 32% of persons under investigation). Meanwhile, it turns out that around 59.3% of requests are related to the imposition of a security measure with arrest, a measure requested for 32.8% of registered defendants (or for 19% of persons under investigation).

Only in 31 cases was a financial guarantee measure requested, while 3078 persons were arrested in prison and 2611 persons were required to appear. The Prosecutor General, in the spirit of the ECHR decision (Hysa v. Albania), adopted in July 2024 a general instruction regarding security measures, based on the need for a more careful and proportionate use of them, especially in relation to “arrest in prison”, and a broader application of other measures. Despite this instruction, there has not yet been any reflection by prosecutors, although the issue has been widely addressed in all annual analyses, but nevertheless the trends for a possible change in the trend are expected to be more clearly visible in 2025 due to the relatively short time in 2024.

Regarding requests for approval of the criminal order, a downward trend continued, with only 91 such requests, while requests for approval of plea agreements and direct trial increased significantly, 183 and 333 cases, respectively.

Efficiency in requests for trial and representation of the case/charge in court

During 2024, prosecution offices at the first instance court filed and represented charges in court on behalf of the Albanian state for 9052 criminal proceedings with 10781 defendants.

Regarding court decisions, statistical data shows that in 2024, 10,001 defendants were convicted, which compared to 2023 represents a 37.87% increase in the number of convicted defendants, and a decision of acquittal was issued for 265 defendants.

During 2024, 5201 decisions were executed, while 1090 decisions remained unexecuted. The number of decisions by type remaining unexecuted is 298 decisions with imprisonment, 220 decisions for fines and 572 alternative punishments. /CNA