Arben Ahmetaj: Buka abuse-of-office case and incinerator concession files (fugitive)
Status: Charged; fugitive abroad; extradition request filed (reported); no verdict
Summary
Arben Ahmetaj, a former Socialist deputy prime minister, is charged by SPAK in two lines of cases. The Buka case charges abuse of office, with alleged state damage of 7 billion lek. The incinerator files (Elbasan and Fier) charge passive corruption in six episodes, money laundering and hiding assets. The Assembly approved SPAK's arrest request in July 2023 by 117 votes. Ahmetaj left the country. Albania's Justice Ministry filed an extradition request with Switzerland, reported in November 2025.
Since then Ahmetaj has accused Rama of seeking to influence prosecutors and judges and of wanting to hide the truth about the Tirana incinerator. A Balkanweb report from 8 Sep 2026 says he promised wiretaps implicating 'the head of the organization'. The article does not name Rama in the body, though the headline does. These are allegations from a fugitive. Rama has called them unserious. No court has yet ruled on the merits.
Key facts
- 14 Jul 2023: Assembly lifted Ahmetaj's immunity by 117 votes; Shqiptarja reports three opposition MPs abstained.
- Transparency International CEPI lists him as a fugitive in Switzerland and says he denies any role in the waste-treatment contracts.
- 17 Nov 2025: Ministry of Justice filed extradition request with Switzerland (Shteg).
- Ahmetaj's lawyer Henrik Ligori said the international search concerns other proceedings and that there are no security measures in the Buka case.
- 13 Dec 2025: Ahmetaj's allegations that Rama directed tenders, finances and public assets, and had mafia ties, were reported by Fox News, citing Agim Nesho. Rama replied they should not be taken seriously.
- 8 Sep 2026: Ahmetaj, on Cim Peka Live, promised six rounds of wiretaps (one of Monaco, three hours) and claimed arms-trafficking elements. He named Ron Yeffet and claimed Ermal Raketa is the current Defence Minister. Balkanweb reports no response from Rama, government or SPAK.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- SPAK charged Ahmetaj and sought his arrest; Parliament authorised it on 14 Jul 2023.
- Ahmetaj is outside Albania and is subject to an extradition request reported in Nov 2025.
What is alleged (3)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationPassive corruption, money laundering and asset concealment in the incinerator concession (SPAK).
- AllegationAbuse of office in the Buka case (SPAK), with alleged damage of 7 billion lek.
- AllegationAhmetaj's claims about Rama, the Kayo company and arms trafficking (allegations from Ahmetaj only).
Allegations and who made them (4)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationAhmetaj directed or approved the incinerator concession law and VKM decisions (SPAK file, reported by Shqiptarja).
- AllegationAhmetaj claims Rama seeks to influence prosecutors and judges and wants him silenced to hide the Tirana incinerator truth (allegation by Ahmetaj, reported by Telegrafi; headline and search summary only).
- AllegationAhmetaj claims Rama directed key decisions on tenders, finances and public assets (allegation reported through Agim Nesho, Fox News, 13 Dec 2025).
- AllegationAhmetaj claims wiretaps exist that implicate the 'head of the organization', Kayo company and Ron Yeffet (Balkanweb, 8 Sep 2026). Claim is unverified; recordings not published in the article.
Open questions (3)
- Has SPAK or any prosecutor responded formally to Ahmetaj's Sept 2026 wiretap claims?
- Did Switzerland decide on the extradition request?
- Are the promised recordings published, and do they name Rama or any official?
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Ahmetaj denies the incinerator charges and calls them political revenge; says US lawyers found him not guilty (A2 News, date not confirmed).
- Rama: Ahmetaj 'should not be taken seriously; Albanian politics is not tainted by the mafia' (Fox News, 13 Dec 2025).
Timeline
Full timeline →Parliament
Assembly lifts Ahmetaj's immunity 117 votes
Parliament approved SPAK's request for arrest authorisation for former deputy PM Arben Ahmetaj. Three opposition MPs abstained. Ahmetaj was already abroad.
Court
Fier incinerator conviction of Lefter Koka annulled, retrial ordered
Special Court of Appeal annulled the Fier conviction and sent the case back for retrial, per local.
SPAK
Justice Ministry files extradition request for Ahmetaj with Switzerland
Reported by Shteg. Ahmetaj's lawyer says the international search relates to other proceedings.
Media
Ahmetaj claims Rama directed tenders and had mafia ties; Rama replies
Fox News relays allegations (via Agim Nesho) that Rama directed decisions on tenders, finances and public assets. Rama said the claims should not be taken seriously.
Media
Ahmetaj promises wiretaps; Balkanweb headline names Rama
On Cim Peka Live Ahmetaj referred to 'the head of the organization' and promised six rounds of audio. The headline names Rama; the body does not. No response from Rama, government or SPAK in the article.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 5 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 5 sources
- Publisher
- Shteg
- Date
- 17 Nov 2025
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- 14 Jul 2023
- Publisher
- Fox News
- Date
- 13 Dec 2025
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 8 Sep 2026
- See (Koka entry)No link recorded.
- Publisher
- local research file
- Date
- 19 Dec 2024