Lefter Koka, a former Minister of the Environment and ex- deputy of the Socialist Party, was arrested on Tuesday by the Special Court for Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK), an act which was called hypocrisy by the SMI Deputy Chairman, Petrit Vasili. Koka held the environmental portfolio for Socialist Movement for Integration (SMI) between 2013 and 2017 before becoming a deputy for the Socialist Party (SP) between 2017-2021. He was elected to parliament in the 2021 general election but resigned from his mandate.
The arrest warrant was signed by prosecutors Dritan Premci and Vladimir Mara.
Koka is reportedly accused of abuse of office, corruption and money laundering. He has been accused of corruption by the opposition Socialist Movement for Integration for his involvement in the controversial incinerators scheme. He signed a concession contract with Integrated Energy BV SPV for the construction of an incinerator in Tirana on 31 August 2017, only two weeks before leaving office.
A parliamentary committee established by the opposition is also inquiring into three concession contracts for incinerators signed by the government with the same company.
Koka’s arrest was considered too late and hypocritical for SMI. SMI Deputy Chairman Petrit Vasili in a reaction on Tuesday said that the denunciations of the former minister and Socialist deputy were made a long time ago but, according to Vasili, the delays were intentional.
“Too late, hypocritical and of no value to thank SPAK. The denunciations and facts have been there for a long time, but the inaction has been intentional and ordered. The incinerator affair gang should not be touched before the elections because it would buy tens of thousands of SMI votes to the benefit of the Renaissance in Durres, Tirana, Elbasan, Fier, Berat, etc.,” said Vasili.
According to the SMI number two, Edi Rama himself is at the head of the gang along with Mayors and Ministers who are still in office. The gang of incinerators also forced (DP head) Lulzim Basha not to admit any member from SMI in the parliamentary Commission of Inquiry. “The SMI will fully uncover until the end this affair before the Albanian people. Albanians do not want ordered justice, but real justice and at the right time!!” said Vasili. /argumentum.al
