DP: State Department security report highlights corruption and criminalization of the Albanian state

The Security Report for Albania by OSAC, a structure of the US Department of State, has brought the reaction of the Democratic Party.

It was the deputy leader of the Democratic Party, Nikola Kedhi, who stated that the report's findings reflect an alarming reality regarding criminality, corruption, and security in the country.

In a statement to the media, Kedhi referred to the 17% increase in crime within a year, as well as the evidence of drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, weapons, extortion and corruption as some of the main problems. 

Referring to the latest Europol report and the protests held in recent weeks, Kedhi said that Albania is facing serious consequences of organized crime and corruption, closing the statement with a call for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Statement by the Deputy Leader of the Democratic Party, Nikola Kedhi:

Yesterday, the Security Report for Albania was published by OSAC, a structure of the US Department of State, which shows what an American citizen should know before coming to our country.

One more report that shows the painful reality we face every day.

According to the report, crime in Albania has increased by 17 percent in one year. The increase is mainly related to drug crimes, fraud and weapons.

The OSAC report speaks of organized crime networks involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, extortion, prostitution and corruption. It also shows that weapons and explosives circulating in Europe originate in or pass through Albania. The same alarm bell was raised by the new Europol report a few days ago, which documented that Albanian criminal networks have become transnational actors, controlling entire cocaine trafficking chains from Latin America to Europe, cooperating with Latin American cartels and other international criminal organizations, while using encrypted communications, money laundering and legitimate businesses to hide their activity.

After thirteen years, Albania has more crime, more dirty money in the economy, and a state that cannot respond to citizens with the necessary speed and capacity.

The report itself highlights that the police response is delayed due to a lack of personnel and resources, while their ability to protect and assist citizens is limited to certain areas. The government finds 4.2 million euros to give to Kanye West, but there is no money for the safety of citizens, just as there is no money for firefighters or hospitals, nor for education.

The Albanian citizen pays taxes, but when he needs the state, he finds it delayed, absent, or compromised.

The consequences of Albania's criminalization are not only suffered by the direct victims of crime.

Honest business suffers, having to compete with drug money and clientelism.

The professional suffers, discovering that work and skill are not as valuable as connections. The ordinary family suffers, paying more and more and feeling more and more hopeless.

The young person suffers, who is given the message every day that in this country, the one who knows someone moves faster, not the one who works harder.

The report is equally heavy on corruption. Foreign investors point out that corruption is pervasive, in government, the judiciary, public procurement and the media. They raise concerns about the lack of transparency and competition, the informal economy and poor contract enforcement.

It is also noted that accidents are frequent, emergency services are limited, there is no transportation to the hospital, medical care is inadequate, public transportation is not recommended, tap water does not meet standards, and road safety is almost non-existent.

Regarding the elections, the report notes that they involved elements of organized crime and corruption, and that the ODIHR, OSCE, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Council of Europe and European Parliament missions called for full electoral reform, identifying the misuse of public resources by the ruling party as a key concern.

Above all, the report reaches a clear conclusion: impunity remains a serious problem.

Impunity decides who wins the tender. Who gets the permit. Who builds where others are forbidden. Who gets rich through the state and who is forced to leave because they refuse to become part of the system.

The report also focuses on the massive protests of these almost two months, noting that although they started as an environmental reaction, today they have transformed into protests against government corruption.

After thirteen years of abuse, theft, and depopulation, there is only one act that this government and this Prime Minister must take: resign!