TIRANA, June 1 – Authorities in Vlora, southwest Albania have seized 220 hectares of land worth an estimated 100 million euros on suspicions it was obtained through forged documents.
Investigations were launched after two persons sued claiming ownership of the parcel of land in question.
The property is located at Shà«n Vasili (St. Basil) beach, in Vlora district.
Investigations revealed that the entire process of property recognition and restitution was accomplished through forged documents.
A document, dating back to 1943, which was used to claim land ownership resulted forged, according to prosecutors.
Two other documents, dated 1994 and 2000, that were used to file a property restitution claim and then register the property were also forged.
After the property was registered in the real estate registration office, it was split in two parcels, 130 hectares and 90 hectares, and changed hands several times to cover up its illicit origin.
A notary and a lawyer were initially arrested as part of the ongoing investigation on abuse of office and forgery charges after raids by authorities uncovered several fake documents in their offices.
Three other people were arrested on Wednesday in the same case, including Rajmond Mezi, the person who had illegally acquired the property alongside two local officials.
Authorities have lately uncovered massive abuses with enviable lands extending along Albania’s coastline.
Months ago, 76 hectares of land were seized in Kavaja, south-west of Tirana, as it was found that several local officials had illegally distributed the property.
Another considerable land area consisting of 45 hectares at Llamani beach in Vlora district became part of a criminal investigation last year for being illegally owned through forged documents.
