The Special Court of First Instance found businessman Rezart Taçi guilty on Tuesday, April 7, of the criminal offenses of money laundering and organized criminal group and sentenced him to 11 years in prison. It also ordered the confiscation of 18.3 million euros transferred from Switzerland to Albania, which was intended for Hong Kong.
Tuesday's hearing was the second in a row scheduled for the final conclusions of Taci's defense. The presiding judge, Elsa Ulliri, announced that Taci's chosen lawyer, Ilenja Mëhilli, had announced that she could not appear as she was in a preliminary hearing in an Italian court, and had proposed dates when she would be free. The other chosen lawyer, Ledion Branko, stated that they have not yet completed the final conclusions, as they are awaiting the decision of an Italian court on the same case against Taci. According to him, that decision is essential for the preparation of the final negotiations and requested time and postponement of the hearing.
After the court withdrew to the consultation room to decide on the continuation of the session, it deemed Mehilli's request illegitimate, also drawing attention to the fact that two other lawyers were also present in the courtroom, one elected and the other appointed.
Chairperson Ulliri noted that since the presentation of the final conclusions by SPAK on February 24, four sessions had been postponed at the request of the defense due to the lack of preparation of the final negotiations, and the same situation was occurring in the fifth session.
According to the court, presenting final conclusions is a right and not an obligation, and consequently it found the lawyers' lack of will to present them.
After the defense lawyers reiterated that they were not yet ready, the court decided to close the trial and withdrew for a verdict that was announced about an hour later. Taçi pleaded guilty to both charges. For laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense, a sentence of 11 years in prison was imposed, and for organized criminal group, a sentence of 2 years in prison. In the Consolidation of Sentences, a final measure of 11 years in prison was imposed. The trial against Taçi was conducted in an ordinary trial, as a result of which he did not benefit from a reduced sentence.
Taçi has been wanted since November 2021 as part of a group investigated in Italy on charges of money laundering for Cosa Nostra. He is accused of being involved in an attempt to launder 18,3 million euros in Albania, which the prosecution blocked in a bank account as part of the proceedings.
The case against the other defendants was separated from Taçi, as the trial against the latter continued with ordinary procedure. On April 25, 2023, the Special Court declared guilty and sentenced two of Rezart Taçi's confidants in this criminal activity, Artur Balla and Bledar Lilo, a decision that was upheld by the Appeals Court in October.
According to SPAK, the financial scheme was run by Zummo and Petruzella, in collaboration with a Swiss citizen of Italian origin and former Albanian oil boss, Rezart Taçi.
