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2 December, 2023
Edicion Special
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    BiEPAG Reacts: EC Country Report 2023 on Albania

    Will Serbia be sanctioned for Banjska clashes in North Kosovo?

    The unfinished EU: integrating the Western Balkans as a geostrategic imperative

    The story of the Ulmas’ martyrdom should be known worldwide

    Triangulation of Eurasia: The North-South Corridor Underreported but pivotal for Our Common Future

    Loose lips sink morale

    Albania and Kosovo: the Leaders, the People, the Narrative

    Offensive defence: How Putin saved NATO

    A decade of Croatian EU membership: Success story of enlargement in the Western Balkans

  • Interview

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

    Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Anar Huseynov: President Aliyev’s visit to Albania opened a new page in our relations through the specific accords reached

    Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski: Open Balkans and Berlin Process are complementary processes for progress of cooperation among WB countries

    Exclusive/ China’s Ambassador to Albania Mr. Zhou Ding: China and Albania must look towards history to build the future!

    Appeal of Ukrainian Ambassador to Albania Shkurov for maximum support of Ukraine with weapons six months after Russian occupation

    Zoran Djukanovic: “The Montenegrin minority in Albania and the Albanian minority in Montenegro to be bridges of communication of our two countries”

  • Realpolitik

    From bad to worse in Berlin! Hands off Western Balkans! Electoral expansion of the far right!  Organization of European ( non) security?      

    REALPOLITIK/ A moment’s respite!

    Much ado about nothing! Five problematic “ B-“s with Greece! Hamas divides the world!

    The whole Brussels in Kiev! The third but not the true! Heads high, hands empty! Terrorist Hamas, a democratic and diplomatic failure! Berlin marked the end of absurd dualism!

    European Council President Charles MICHEL, receives Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market.  Brussels the 12/01/2021.
Le President du Conseil Europeen, Charles MICHEL, recoit Thierry Breton, Commissaire Europeen chargé du marché interieur. .  Bruxelles le 12/01/2021.,Image: 590631817, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia

    For a new paradigm by the EU and the USA for Kosovo and Serbia after the terrorist attack by serb bands on 24 september.

    Pacifying without reconciliation! Kurti’s autogoal! Between G – 7 and BRICS 11! The Balkans summer theatre continues! A speech for campaign 2024! A prewarned failure!                             

    Marriage spoiled for a lemon! The missed dinner! Sphinx and challenge for the West! Summer theatre in Bled!

    Peace as wishful thinking! Change the course! Brussels bells toll for Tirana!  Beleri between Tirana, Brussels and Athens! Compare the incomparables!  

    A cold shower! Change the tune! Partnership or vassalage? Euro-Atlantist Meloni!

  • Current Events

    OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani announces Malta as 2024 Chairpersonship, extension of senior officials following 30th Ministerial Council

    Balla-Goldberg: Albania and Canada, joint investigation against crime

    OSCE Opens Summit In Skopje Amid Boycotts, Criticism Directed At Russia’s Presence

    Parade of Albanians in Tirana, national flag hoisted at “Skanderbeg” square

    Heads of state “land” in Vlora on the 111th anniversary of Independence,

    Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs

    Situation in north a topic of discussion of Foreign Ministers in Brussels

    Ceremony organized in Durrës on 111th anniversary of Independence

    Democrat MP Tabaku says the establishment of investigative commissions is a right of opposition

    November 28 will gather Albanians from all over the world in a single parade in Tirana

  • Top News

    Silvio Gonzato is appointed EU ambassador to Albania

    China presents 5-point proposal at UNSC on Palestine-Israel issue

    Blinken: We do not want the return of conflicts in the Balkans

    President Begaj, reception for the 111th anniversary of Independence

    Antony Blinken congratulates Albania on Independence Day: USA is proud to work with you as NATO Allies and partners

    VOA: Rama, skeptical about starting talks with the EU, because of Greece

    November 28 will gather Albanians from all over the world in a single parade in Tirana

    Belgian FM in Pristina asks for de-escalation and a renewed commitment to the normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia

    The opposition federation is institutionalized, which will turn into an opposition coalition

  • YOUR VOICE
  • ShqipShqip
No Result
View All Result
Argumentum
  • Home
  • OP/ED

    BiEPAG Reacts: EC Country Report 2023 on Albania

    Will Serbia be sanctioned for Banjska clashes in North Kosovo?

    The unfinished EU: integrating the Western Balkans as a geostrategic imperative

    The story of the Ulmas’ martyrdom should be known worldwide

    Triangulation of Eurasia: The North-South Corridor Underreported but pivotal for Our Common Future

    Loose lips sink morale

    Albania and Kosovo: the Leaders, the People, the Narrative

    Offensive defence: How Putin saved NATO

    A decade of Croatian EU membership: Success story of enlargement in the Western Balkans

  • Interview

    Exclusive/ The Russian Ambassador to Albania Mr. Mikhail Afanasiev: Russia only aims to end that war started by the West in Ukraine

    Exclusive/ Skopje’s top diplomat to Tirana, Dancho Markovski: OSCE Chairmanship a Project of National Importance for North Macedonia

    Exclusive interview of Croatian Ambassador Zlatko Kramaric: ‘There is progress in Croatian-Albanian relations, but it is still not enough’  

    The first anniversary of the appointment as Archbishop at the head of the Catholic Church/ Mons. Arjan Dodaj: Only God can be the author of our walk!

    Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Anar Huseynov: President Aliyev’s visit to Albania opened a new page in our relations through the specific accords reached

    Macedonian Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski: Open Balkans and Berlin Process are complementary processes for progress of cooperation among WB countries

    Exclusive/ China’s Ambassador to Albania Mr. Zhou Ding: China and Albania must look towards history to build the future!

    Appeal of Ukrainian Ambassador to Albania Shkurov for maximum support of Ukraine with weapons six months after Russian occupation

    Zoran Djukanovic: “The Montenegrin minority in Albania and the Albanian minority in Montenegro to be bridges of communication of our two countries”

  • Realpolitik

    From bad to worse in Berlin! Hands off Western Balkans! Electoral expansion of the far right!  Organization of European ( non) security?      

    REALPOLITIK/ A moment’s respite!

    Much ado about nothing! Five problematic “ B-“s with Greece! Hamas divides the world!

    The whole Brussels in Kiev! The third but not the true! Heads high, hands empty! Terrorist Hamas, a democratic and diplomatic failure! Berlin marked the end of absurd dualism!

    European Council President Charles MICHEL, receives Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market.  Brussels the 12/01/2021.
Le President du Conseil Europeen, Charles MICHEL, recoit Thierry Breton, Commissaire Europeen chargé du marché interieur. .  Bruxelles le 12/01/2021.,Image: 590631817, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia

    For a new paradigm by the EU and the USA for Kosovo and Serbia after the terrorist attack by serb bands on 24 september.

    Pacifying without reconciliation! Kurti’s autogoal! Between G – 7 and BRICS 11! The Balkans summer theatre continues! A speech for campaign 2024! A prewarned failure!                             

    Marriage spoiled for a lemon! The missed dinner! Sphinx and challenge for the West! Summer theatre in Bled!

    Peace as wishful thinking! Change the course! Brussels bells toll for Tirana!  Beleri between Tirana, Brussels and Athens! Compare the incomparables!  

    A cold shower! Change the tune! Partnership or vassalage? Euro-Atlantist Meloni!

  • Current Events

    OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani announces Malta as 2024 Chairpersonship, extension of senior officials following 30th Ministerial Council

    Balla-Goldberg: Albania and Canada, joint investigation against crime

    OSCE Opens Summit In Skopje Amid Boycotts, Criticism Directed At Russia’s Presence

    Parade of Albanians in Tirana, national flag hoisted at “Skanderbeg” square

    Heads of state “land” in Vlora on the 111th anniversary of Independence,

    Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs

    Situation in north a topic of discussion of Foreign Ministers in Brussels

    Ceremony organized in Durrës on 111th anniversary of Independence

    Democrat MP Tabaku says the establishment of investigative commissions is a right of opposition

    November 28 will gather Albanians from all over the world in a single parade in Tirana

  • Top News

    Silvio Gonzato is appointed EU ambassador to Albania

    China presents 5-point proposal at UNSC on Palestine-Israel issue

    Blinken: We do not want the return of conflicts in the Balkans

    President Begaj, reception for the 111th anniversary of Independence

    Antony Blinken congratulates Albania on Independence Day: USA is proud to work with you as NATO Allies and partners

    VOA: Rama, skeptical about starting talks with the EU, because of Greece

    November 28 will gather Albanians from all over the world in a single parade in Tirana

    Belgian FM in Pristina asks for de-escalation and a renewed commitment to the normalization process between Kosovo and Serbia

    The opposition federation is institutionalized, which will turn into an opposition coalition

  • YOUR VOICE
  • ShqipShqip
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Home Current Events

Former FBI official McGonigal admits to all charges related to Albania

23 September, 2023
in Current Events, ENGLISH, Global
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Former FBI official Charles McGonigal confessed to his guilt on Friday for accepting 225,000 US dollars from Albanian-American Agron Nezaj, who, as per court documents, had become an informant for the FBI’s investigation into McGonigal’s contacts and activities in Albania.

This admission took place in a federal court in Washington, following an agreement between prosecutors and McGonigal’s legal team. He admitted guilt for one count, specifically, concealing material evidence, while prosecutors dropped the remaining eight charges.

Each count in the indictment included multiple allegations.

The agreement implies that the case will not proceed to trial, and further details about this matter will remain undisclosed.

McGonigal acknowledged all charges related to Albania, including his interactions with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and the unofficial advisor to the Prime Minister, Dorian Duçka.

Under questioning from Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, he confirmed that on November 25, he had “informed the Department of Justice Prosecutor… about a possible criminal investigation into an American citizen who was registered to lobby for a party that was not Prime Minister Rama’s,” to which McGonigal responded with a “Yes”.

He had received information about this lobbyist from Duçka.

The American lobbyist and Albanian political party are not named in the indictment. However, on November 14, 2017, lobbyist Nick Muzin submitted, albeit belatedly, documents to the Department of Justice concerning lobbying activities on behalf of the Democratic Party in Albania. This later became the subject of an investigation in Albania regarding the source of the funds.

On February 26, 2018, the FBI’s New York office officially initiated investigations focused on the American lobbyist at McGonigal’s request and under his guidance.

During the hearing, McGonigal admitted that he had established connections and contacts in Albania through a friend, referring to Nezaj, with the aim of preparing the groundwork for business opportunities in Albania after his departure from the FBI.

“Before I left the FBI in September 2018, I was planning to open a security consultancy business with a friend. I knew that my contacts with the government and international relations could be beneficial for me when I later started the business,” he said in court, referring to his contacts with the Albanian Government.

He further added that, as stated in the indictment and the guilty plea, he had not declared the 220,000 US dollars he said he had borrowed from his friend and potential business partner, referring to Neza, and had not disclosed his contacts with foreign nationals.

McGonigal admitted during the hearing that he had met with Prime Minister Edi Rama several times starting in September 2017, beginning with their first meeting on September 9 in the presence of Duçka, who is still identified as Person B in the document offering a reduced charge.

When asked by the judge if, after the September 2017 trip, he had “maintained a continuous relationship with the Prime Minister of Albania and Person B”, McGonigal responded with “Yes”.

Similarly, he confirmed when asked if, at the request of Person A, he had called on the Prime Minister to exercise caution and not grant licenses for oil exploration in Albania to a Russian company, while Persons A and B had financial interests in the Albanian Government’s decision.

He also claimed that during the September 2017 visit, McGonigal “was introduced by Person A to an Albanian businessman and politician, who asked him for help in investigating a suspected plot to kill the businessman and politician”.

After the hearing, his attorney, Seth Ducharme, spoke to the reporters.

“While he may have had or has had, I believe, some fairly legitimate interests that aligned with the United States in maintaining those relationships, he also clearly had personal interests in preparing the ground after leaving his position to continue those relationships. So, it was certainly something unseemly,” he said.

The attorney added that when considering opening a private consulting firm after leaving government, “the more contacts you have worldwide, the more business opportunities you have”.

“Thus, for some of the people he (McGonigal) considered the potential development of business and resources for future relationships, he alluded to the guilty plea, and they fall into this category,” Ducharme added.

The former high-ranking FBI counterintelligence official had previously admitted guilt in August in a New York court regarding charges related to violations of U.S. sanctions against Russia, working after retirement for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, whom he had previously investigated.

The criminal offense for which McGonigal admitted guilt in Washington carries a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in prison, but the sentence could be more lenient. The terms of the agreement stipulate that McGonigal cannot appeal the sentence, which is expected to be delivered next February./VOA

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