An operation conducted by the State Police in Saranda has led to the arrest of 8 citizens who were working on an unauthorized construction site in a beach area in neighborhood no. 1 of the city, while 4 police officers suspected of abuse of power and inaction against illegality have also been detained.

According to the official announcement, after information reached the General Directorate of the State Police about an illegally constructed facility, consisting of several structures, part of which are in the water, the Vlora Police services intervened by arresting the persons carrying out the works in flagrante delicto.

A citizen who owned the beach area, on whose behalf the works were allegedly being carried out, has also been declared wanted.

The services of IKMT, IMT and the Municipal Police have also been engaged in the demolition of the building, which has intervened to demolish the illegal constructions.

Meanwhile, after in-depth investigations conducted in cooperation with the Police Supervision Agency and the Saranda Prosecutor's Office, the following were detained:

• Commissioner Gëzim Bashllari, Head of the Saranda Police Station;
• Deputy Commissioner Andi Duro, specialist in crime investigation;
• Deputy Commissioner Ajdin Ismailaj, law enforcement specialist;
• Inspector Robert Çullaj, area specialist.

According to the Police, they are suspected of the criminal offenses of "Abuse of office", "Committing arbitrary actions" and "Failing to take measures to end the illegal situation".

Following the arrest, the Director General of the State Police, Major General Skender Hita, ordered the immediate suspension of the four officers from duty, while also initiating procedures for their expulsion from the ranks of the State Police.

The Head of the Section for the Investigation of Major Crimes at the Saranda Police Station, Commissioner Blerim Tafçiu, has also been suspended from duty, after he failed to appear for questioning during the AMP's investigations.

In its official response, the State Police called on citizens to report any case of abuse or illegality, guaranteeing a quick and professional response, while emphasizing that it remains determined to remove from its ranks any employee who abuses their duty and the trust of citizens.

Full State Police announcement

State Police/Declarations continue to be filed with the General Directorate of the State Police, regarding illegalities observed in the field.

Following information received by the General Directorate of the State Police about an unauthorized construction in a beach area, in neighborhood no. 1, Saranda, where illegal construction works were being carried out in a facility (consisting of several structures, some of them in the water), the Vlora Local Police Directorate arrested 8 citizens red-handed who were working in this facility, and also declared a citizen who owned the beach area, on whose behalf it is suspected that the unauthorized works were being carried out, wanted.

For this construction, the State Police notified the services of IKMT, IMT and the Municipal Police, which carried out the demolition of the constructions.

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of the State Police notified the Police Supervision Agency and, in cooperation with the Saranda General Jurisdiction Prosecutor's Office, continued in-depth actions to hold police officers accountable for failing to carry out their duties in disallowing this construction.

After extensive actions carried out in cooperation with the AMP, the following police officers were detained:

Commissioner Gëzim Bashllari, acting Chief of the Saranda Police Station;

Deputy Commissioner Andi Duro, specialist in crime investigation;

Deputy Commissioner Ajdin Ismailaj, law enforcement specialist;

Inspector Robert Çullaj, area specialist.

These employees are under strong suspicion of committing the criminal offenses of "Abuse of office", "Committing arbitrary actions" and "Failing to take measures to end the illegal situation", these offenses committed in collaboration, not only for this case.

After the detention of these employees, the General Director of the State Police, Major General Skender Hita, immediately suspended the four police officers from duty and the Directorate of Professional Standards in the State Police has initiated procedures for their expulsion from the State Police, for the violations found, which have brought serious consequences in terms of law enforcement, territorial protection and damage to the image of the State Police.

The Director General of the State Police has also immediately suspended from duty the Head of the Section for the Investigation of Major Crimes at the Saranda Police Station, Commissioner Blerim Tafçiu, after he failed to appear for questioning during the investigative actions being carried out by the Police Supervision Agency.

The State Police thanks, encourages and invites citizens to report any case of abuse of duty by police officers, as well as any case of illegality they observe, guaranteeing a quick and professional response.

Also, the State Police is determined to remove from its ranks anyone who abuses their duty, the trust of citizens, and the law.

AMP reaction;