Gerdec Investigation

TIRANA, April 8 – A local newspaper Wednesday gave new evidence of how the investigation on the Gerdec blast was not complete.
It came out that a company where Mihal Delijorgji, a main defendant and accused of abuse of post and murder, was still operating, though normally all his economic activities should normally be suspended.
On top of this, it was found that the company was in cooperation with people close to Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Delijorgji and 27 others, including former Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu and top military officials, have been accused of abuse of post and four of them of murder as well.
The trial is to be held next month. The March 15, 2008 blast at the private ammunition disposal company killed 26 people and injured 264 others. It also damaged or destroyed thousands of houses and business compounds.
The new evidence showed that Delijorgji was a shareholder of a construction company joined by another business man and the daughter of a media man all considered close to Berisha.
Prosecutor General Ina Rama acknowledged they were investigating the issue, also urging all the prosecutors to completely check how the defendants were involved in businesses, something that could be an effort for money laundry.
Delijorgji was considered one of the biggest businessmen in Albania involved in the trade of iron, construction and other fields which he often exploited his contacts with government officials. He was also the one who destroyed hundreds of tanks, military jets and other weaponry during the country’s army reform.
He had also been arrested five years ago for avoiding payment of taxes and customs tariffs. But he was later released and also compensated for the charges. Those judges were fired last year from the High Council of Justice.
If found guilty he may sentenced to life imprisonment.