TIRANA, Aug. 19 – Albania’s central bank has set new security measures following the large cash theft discovered last year, according to an official publication of the Albanian government, Fletore Zyrtare.
The new regulations set better and more precise steps in the daily operation of the staff of the Bank of Albania’s treasury unit, where the theft occurred, according to the publication.
The new safety measures also tighten the ability of commercial banks to store cash at the treasury unit, a bunker-like structure in the Tirana outskirts.
It was from the same building where ALL713 million (about €4.2 million) were stolen in cash over a number of years by an employee of the bank. The theft came to light only when the employee confessed to auditors.
About two dozen former bank personnel have either been convicted or are currently undergoing trial in connection to the theft, including the former Bank of Albania governor, Ardian Fullani.
He is charged with abuse of office and dereliction of duty over the theft case, accused of not doing enough to prevent it.
Prosecutors say Fullani had failed to take appropriate measures to implement the supervisory council decision and directives and failure to do so directly led to the theft.
Earlier this year, a court sentenced 10 central bank employees for abuse of office.
The 10 convicted, including several heads of departments, who were sentenced from eight to 18 months in prison.
In the harshest sentence, a Tirana court sent Ardian Bitraj to 20 years in prison. Another central bank former employee, Mimoza Bruzia, received ten years. Both were directly involved in the theft.
Because Bitraj accepted a plea bargain to speed up the trial, he is expected to serve a little more than 13 years. He said he had taken the money to feed his gambling addiction.
