A high profile arrest was made this week in Tirana. Emiljano Shullazi – whom many consider to be one of the leaders of the criminal world- made no attempt to resist police officers as they surrounded his house on Sunday. The alleged gang leader is a fixed name in political declaration of the opposition party, which claim the executive has a close relationship this criminal and shields him from police in return for profits and political clout. The untouchability of Mr. Shullazi is such that even the U.S. Ambassador has singled him out in his public declarations, thereby implicitly denouncing those responsible for their failure to arrest him. On a larger context, such failure exemplifies all that is wrong with the justice system today.
Shullazi is presently accused of racketeering and membership in criminal organizations. One of the most striking facts reported by the media is that this murky figure has forced some very important businessmen ‘to give him as presents’ lucrative assets such as promenade hotels in the main port city of Durres. Ironically, their give-away declarations have been signed at the end ‘with gratitude.’ Their assets were clearly not the only thing they stood to lose during their interactions with Mr. Shullazi.
Moreover, there have been allegations that this time Shullazi tried to interfere in the elections for the new administration of the University of Tirana, specifically for the key position of Chancellor. The interference of the dark criminal world upon the academic one, even at the simple allegation level, is scary to most citizens. One of the candidates for Chancellor admits to have been severely threatened despite not making clear the names. One cannot blame him for being frightened, everyone would be.
The arrest of Shullazi according to national media has not been an easy affair. Reports indicate that there have been problematic dynamics in the (lack of) communication between Police and Attorney General for this case. The person has been reported to have political connections. It discredits even more the political parties in Albania, which constantly have been drawing resources, protection and votes from the most problematic of individuals. It once again shows to what concerning degrees Albanian politics has shared its fate with crime. Only recently we have MPs waiting for trial in pre-detention or in house arrest. More seem to be coming, should the justice reform really work.
This person has been at the hands of the police and of the justice several times. He has managed to save himself and clear his charges. Should that happen again, it would be an attempt at the complete humiliation of justice and state in Albania. The hopes that the justice sector can be reformed would take a direct hit.
The destructive symbiosis between politics and crime in this country has to stop. The welfare of citizens, the consolidation of the rule of law and any aspiration to join the European Union depend on it.
