Millions of pensions and social benefits were stolen/ 3 Albanian Post officials in handcuffs

2026-07-16 09:13:00, Kronika CNA

Millions of pensions and social benefits were stolen/ 3 Albanian Post officials

A scandalous and criminal case has been registered in Durrës. After the operation, it was discovered that the director of the Albanian Post branch in Durrës, EM, 41 years old, the head of Finance, VD, 59 years old, and the cashier PD, 39 years old, have stolen 69 million new lek, an amount collected for pensions and social assistance for citizens.

The investigations suspect that, during the months of April and May 2026, these citizens stole money that was planned to be collected from the Durrës branch of the Albanian Post, for the Shijak and Krujë branches, with the aim of distributing pensions and social assistance to the citizens of these areas.

"The police operation codenamed "Branch" is being finalized, conducted by the Directorate for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crimes at the Criminal Police Department, in cooperation with the Durrës DVP and the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Durrës.

The director, chief financial officer and cashier of the Albanian Post branch in Durres were arrested for failing to collect the amount of 69 million new lekë, intended for the distribution of pensions and social assistance, from the cashiers of the Shijak and Krujë branches.

Following the operations to crack down on economic and financial crimes, the Corruption Investigation Sector in the Directorate for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crimes, in the Criminal Police Department, in cooperation with the Durrës DVP and under the direction of the Durrës Prosecution Office, finalized the police operation codenamed "Filiali".

As part of the operation, the following citizens were detained:

-EM, 41 years old, resident of Durrës, working as director of the Durrës branch of the Albanian Post;

-VD, 59 years old, resident of Durrës, with the position of Chief Finance Officer at the Durrës branch of the Albanian Post;

-PD, 39 years old, resident of Durrës, with the position of cashier/accountant at the Durrës branch of the Albanian Post.

Their detention was carried out in connection with the criminal proceedings registered by the Prosecution Office, for the offenses of "Abuse of Office" and "Theft by Abuse of Office", committed in collaboration.

The investigations suspect that, during the months of April and May 2026, these citizens embezzled the amount of 69 million new lek, which was planned to be collected from the Durrës branch of the Albanian Post, for the Shijak and Krujë branches, with the aim of distributing pensions and social assistance to the citizens of these areas.

Investigations continue to identify and bring to justice other citizens who may have been involved in this criminal activity.

"The procedural materials were referred to the Prosecutor's Office at the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction of Durrës, for further action," the police announced./ CNA