Albania and the United States signed today a new Extradition Treaty, that will no longer be limited to a simple list of extraditable offences, but provide a broader modern framework to help the fight against crime in the two countries. In the categories of criminal offences for which the extradition may be requested, are included among others financial criminal offences, environmental crimes, computer crimes, tax and corruption crimes, with the exception of political offences.
According to the U.S Ambassador in Tirana Yuri Kim, “this Extradition Treaty provides a modern framework that will enable the United States and Albania to confront more effectively the dynamic challenges presented by transnational crime. This treaty no longer limits the extraditable offences to a simple list.” Kim considered the treaty a “powerful weapon” to fight the criminals that attempt to “hide behind borders.”
For the U.S Ambassador, a proper fight against transnational crime helps also the cause of EU integration. Kim took the opportunity also to reaffirm the support for the Special Prosecution Office, and the National Bureau of Investigation. The Ambassador added that the U.S is assisting “in the selection of the best of the best investigators through a fair, objective, and transparent hiring process. Helping SPAK become fully operable (both SPO and NBI) is a priority for the U.S. Embassy,” – concluded the Ambassador.
For the Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj, the treaty gives a clear sign that “no one will find a place to hide in order to avoid the rule of law in the United States or Albania,” adding that this treaty will mark a step forward the fight against crime. The new treaty substitutes the Extradition Treaty signed in 1933 between then the Kingdom of Albania and the United States.
