TIRANA, Jan. 8 – Albanian State Police Chief Haki à‡ako was ousted this week by the Council of Ministers, after an earlier proposal made by Minister of Interior Fatmir Xhafaj.
In the Ministry of Interior’s public statement, it is said that Xhafaj “values the contribution, engagement and devotion of Mr. à‡ako.”
However, the statement continues, the goals of the government in the field of order and public safety require a faster rhythm and stronger work dynamic, thus a different leadership.
Shortly after the ministry’s statement, à‡ako told local media he was notified of the decision and that he would not be making further comments.
Proposed as chief of the police by former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri, with whom he also had to closely cooperate during the last three years, à‡ako was already under the spotlight.
Tahiri is now being investigated for his alleged ties with the Habilaj brothers – leaders of a transnational criminal marijuana trafficking band busted by Italian authorities.
Tenure marred by cannabis issue
Several experts have said à‡ako did not do enough about illegal cannabis production situation in the country while he was running the state police. The fact that three former police officials are wanted for cooperating with criminal gangs makes à‡ako according to analysts at least morally responsible, if not also legally.
Indeed, with accusations of ties between the government and state police with criminal gangs increasing, à‡ako would be the first in line of high-rank officials to be examined by the police vetting now under progress.
Xhafaj proposed the vetting at the beginning of his duty as minister of interior in order to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of police officers, following in the steps of the judicial reform.
Reban Jaupi, second in charge after à‡ako, will take on à‡ako’s duty until a new head of police is appointed according to the law.
The opposition’s reaction
Head of the opposition and the Democratic Party (DP) Lulzim Basha said the sacking of à‡ako was nothing but “a mafia pact between Prime Minister Edi Rama and à‡ako.”
According to Basha, Rama ensured à‡ako that he could freely walk away despite heading the police at a time cannabis production in the country soared, despite working for Tahiri’s interests and despite turning the police into a “criminal organization.”
“In turn, Haki à‡ako will keep quiet about the horrible criminal and corrupt affairs which directly implicate Edi Rama and his closest people in the government and the Socialist Party,” Basha said.
