Pyramids ‘back’ in Albania

TIRANA, March 29 – Calamities that the failed pyramid investment schemes brought to the tiny Balkan country, still one of Europe’s poorest ones, or better say last but one leaving behind only Moldova, came back this week after an interview that Gani Kadria, ex-husband of Shemsie Kadria, the boss of Gjallica scheme. Shemsie left prison this month after a parliament pardon which many say was made on purpose for certain persons, she included. The opposition Socialists immediately exploited to attack Democrats leader and Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his Finance Minister Ridvan Bode of being involved in the case.
Gani Kadria gave an interview to Top Channel from an undisclosed place. Days later one of his former counterparts, Pellumb Shehaj of Silva (giving an interview to Klan TV) said he was one of the richest persons in Bulgaria. He said that Gani had transferred up to $200 million. Gani is at large and he has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for the pyramid scandal. He said that after finding no support at all from the country’s institutions to denounce the pyramid scandal he turned to the local media. Gani accused his former wife that she had achieved her release after a transfer of $14-15 million from Izmir, Turkey to Italy. Gani said the pyramid case of Gjallica should be reopened. Gani said he had abandoned his wife since 1992 when she started the fake pyramid, or collecting the money. He said that Shemsie had done all the evil things together with her brother Islam Elezi. Gani accused a prosecutor of going twice to Izmir to take the money while Shemsie was still at large, though she stayed in Durres. She was then taken abroad and Gani accused an official of Berisha’s family of helping her to go abroad. The ex-husband said that the prosecutor had asked Shemsie to give half a million dollars so that she could be included in the amnesty list in 1997.
Gani continued then to mention different names who, he said, should have been involved with Gjallica’s activity like Sabri Godo of the Republicans, Sali Berisha, Dashamir Shehi of the anarchist movement, Ridvan Bode, Prec Zogaj. He was accused Fahrudin Arapi who headed the government authority taking case of the failed pyramid investment schemes. He accused him why he had sold their assets so cheap. He accused directly former prosecutors Sul Petku and Alush Dragoshi and ex-judge Avni Shehu of being involved in illegal efforts to release Shemsie. Gani Kadria said he was ready to hand over if the case was opened again saying he was not involved and was not the creator of the pyramid scheme Gjallica. But he was afraid of his life.
Kristos Siontis, former Italian diplomat in Ioannina, said that he was ready to testify and had told that to Prosecutor General Theodhori Sollaku four years ago. But nothing had come as a response. He acknowledged that his wife had opened a bank account with $100,000 in Padova, Italy at the commercial bank. He said those money was on behalf of Shemsie Kadria and that his wife had no link at all. Siontis said he was ready to testify to the Greek parliament if required.
Italian police has arrested Greek priest Apostolis Vavilis, who was extradited to Greece, for being involved in the money transfer for Vefa and Cenaj pyramid schemes in Albania. He was also at large and wanted for drug trafficking.
Fatos Klosi, former head of the secret police Shik, said they had no documents to prove that ex-managers of the pyramid schemes were involved with secret services. “We found nothing,” he said referring to 1997 when he took over the job from Bashkim Gazidede. Gazeidede said they had left full documentation. “How is it possible, then, that part of them were published at Zeri I popullit newspaper,” he asked.
Prosecutor office reopened the investigation for Shemsie’s property after the recent interview. They said that Gani Kadria should first come and hand over to the prison authorities and then he may be questioned and may testify for the proof that he possesses.
Some 24 pyramid schemes collapsed in 1997 and many Albanians lost their life savings and the impoverished Balkan country was plunged into chaos. In all, 1.68 million investors lost a total of US$1.26 billion when the schemes collapsed. The schemes were fueled by new cash pumped in by gullible investors, and crashed when enough investors pulled out to claim their profits. Crowds looted army depots, the government ceased to function and a few thousand people died in the violence. A temporary administration was set up with the help of the international community after a NATO-led force was sent to Albania to help restore order. Several other managers of failed pyramid schemes have been imprisoned and many others fled Albania. Few of the missing funds have been paid back to private investors.