SPAK reveals names/ Requests trial for 37 defendants, part of two structured criminal groups

2025-06-05 12:26:00, Aktualitet CNA

SPAK reveals names/ Requests trial for 37 defendants, part of two structured

Photo source: CNA

The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime, at the conclusion of the investigations for criminal proceedings no. 177, of 2022 , submitted to the Special Court the request for the trial of 37 defendants, members of two structured criminal groups.

The defendants are:

Sulaj Union,

Just Ademaj,

Rama's profit,

Xhelal Krasniqi,

Rrezart Domi,

Ylli Brahimaj,

Osman Luca,

Artur Mici,

Emiljan Marashi,

Adrian Mema,

Jugert Gashi,

Maxim Domi,

Arsen Caka,

Gridi Elezi,

Behar Rexha,

Deila Qama,

Arnold Shah,

Fatmir Stankova,

Arben Rushiti,

Ylli Çaushaj,

Eriola Spaho,

Murat Gjuniku,

Uncle Bajram,

Bardhyl Imeri,

Roland Islamaj,

Amarildo Luca,

Robert Gjika,

Artid Shtylla,

Leonard Lama,

Xelil Alla,

Besnik Lumaj,

Dritan Cena,

Altin Neli,

Redi Salaj,

Behar Nuhiallari,

Azem Canaj,

Canaj Pearls.

The main acts they are accused of:

“Assistance to illegal border crossing”, committed in the form of special cooperation; “Forgery of identity cards, passports or visas”, committed in the form of special cooperation; “Forgery of documents”, committed in the form of special cooperation; “Structured criminal group”, “Commitment of criminal offenses by a criminal organization or criminal group”, provided for in Articles 298/2 and 28/4; 189/1 and 28/4; 186/1 and 28/4; 333/a/1/2; 334/1 of the Criminal Code, “Forgery of seals, stamps or forms”; “Production of means for forging documents, production or possession of means for forging documents”, provided for in Articles 190/1 and 192 of the Criminal Code; "Cultivation of narcotic plants", committed in collaboration and "Production and sale of narcotics", committed in collaboration, provided for by articles 284/2 and 283/2 of the Criminal Code; as well as "Abuse of office", provided for by article 248 of the Criminal Code.

The “modus operandi” of two structured criminal groups

The two structured criminal groups, whose existence has already been proven by the investigation, throughout 2022 and 2024 have organized and facilitated the illegal crossing of sea, air and land borders, mainly of Albanian citizens towards the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Their activity consisted of:

Production of counterfeit identification documents, mainly documents from European Union countries (passports, identity cards, driving licenses and other documents);

Finding or mediating for Albanian citizens who would travel to the United Kingdom, Canada and America, the method of making payments and the amounts paid by them;

Transportation of documents and persons who would travel; accommodation and guidance of these citizens for the itinerary they would follow, these actions carried out by the travel agencies; "Domi Travel" and "Boris Travel", which cooperate with each other;

The use of forged documents, instructing people on how to behave during interviews, in order to obtain American and Canadian visas.

In this criminal activity, the defendants provide different processes. They know each other, and are aware of each other's role. These circumstances indicate that the activity is premeditated, well-organized and with defined tasks and roles, and its purpose is material gain.

During the investigation, an environment was documented in the city of Tirana in which identification documents such as passports of European Union countries were produced, an environment where various forged documents were found and seized, as well as 37 (thirty-seven) different seals, mainly of state and private institutions, through which the criminal group was able to forge documents used during visa applications, amounts of money of 25 thousand euros, 20 thousand pounds, valuables, an environment adapted for forging documents, computers and printers that served for the sale and transfer of virtual currencies./ CNA