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The journey of former guard Gramoz Sako, from 'house arrest' to candidacy for the Municipality of Tepelena

The journey of former guard Gramoz Sako, from 'house arrest' to

Gramoz Sako, former commander of the Republican Guard, now the SP candidate for the Municipality of Tepelena, is raising many questions about his public image.

A document from the Evaluation Commission as part of the Police Vetting process has revealed a series of problems related to wealth and conflict of interest, issues that, again, did not hinder his path towards political candidacy.

In February 2020, the assessment body, composed of Mirela Ujkani (Miti), Alban Laska and Artur Baku, found that Sako had not been accurate in his asset declaration.
At the time, it was stated that Sako owns an apartment in his wife's name and took out a 3 million lek loan for its purchase, repaid in just three years.

In official statements, Sako had also reported the purchase of another apartment in Tirana, without a notary declaration, which he converted into a dental clinic, with equipment worth 36 thousand euros, partially financed by a loan of 14 thousand euros from his brother-in-law, with an unclear source in Italy.

The commission has identified discrepancies in the value of investments in the clinic and a lack of documentation for funding sources, while Sako has not even accurately declared the amount of the loan, violating the legal obligation for full disclosure.

His list of assets also includes a Toyota Land Cruiser, which is deregistered. According to the DPSHTRR, the car was purchased for 450,000 lek and then sold for 15,000 euros, a large difference that the commission considered "unjustified."
Meanwhile, his wife has reported income 1.4 million lek more than the official tax declarations, raising suspicions of tax evasion.

Conflicts of interest 
Another serious point in Sako's file is related to family favoritism and abuses in the Guard.
In 2019, a group of Guardsmen denounced him to the Evaluation Commission for unqualified promotions, abuses of allowances and unprofessional behavior.
During this period, Sako's niece, his sister's daughter, was also employed in the Guard structures as a lawyer. Although he has denied any conflict of interest, the commission has assessed that he has committed family favoritism and that his moral image is being violated.

The file also mentions that Sako, before accepting duty in the Guard in 1997, was under house arrest for a criminal case that was later dismissed.

His vetting record raises strong questions about the selection standards and moral filters of candidates emerging from security structures.

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