Buka factory privatisation case (Arben Ahmetaj, trial in absentia)
Status: Trial in absentia (2025-2026). Outcome not found.
Summary
Not an incinerator case; included because Arben Ahmetaj is a defendant. SPAK alleges that as Finance Minister he favoured businessman Lirim Fezollari in the privatisation of Buka sh.a., causing alleged state damage of about 7 billion old lekë, and charges him with abuse of office (shteg.org, 17 Nov 2025). A2 (search only) reports the court accepted the referral to trial in 2025, and that the first witness is Fezollari. The trial proceeds in absentia. In December 2024 the case had been sent back to SPAK for further investigation (search summary). Lawyer Henrik Ligori disputes the charge (search summary).
Key facts
- Alleged damage about 7 billion old lekë (SPAK, as reported).
- Referral to trial accepted in 2025 (A2, search only).
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 (0)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
Nothing recorded in this list.
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationAbuse of office in the Buka privatisation; no verdict found.
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationSPAK: abuse of office in the Buka privatisation (as reported).
Open questions (1)
- Verdict and sentence, if any, not found in sources read.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Lawyer Henrik Ligori says the defendant does not accept the charge and considers it political (search summary).
Timeline
Full timeline →Court
Court accepts SPAK referral of Arben Ahmetaj to trial in the Buka case
Trial for abuse of office in the Buka privatisation accepted. SPAK says alleged damage is about 7 billion old lekë. Month (July 2025) from a search summary of A2 coverage; not confirmed on an opened page.
International
Ministry of Justice extradition request for Arben Ahmetaj to Switzerland reported
The Ministry of Justice filed an extradition request with Swiss authorities, announced at a Special Court session. Filing date not stated. Ahmetaj denies that a request exists (Balkanweb, search summary). Swiss response not found.
Connections
Defendant in trial in absentia (abuse of office, Buka privatisation)
Evidence: shteg.org, 17 Nov 2025: Buka abuse-of-office charge; A2 (search only): referral to trial accepted in 2025.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 3 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 3 sources
- Publisher
- SHTEG
- Date
- 17 Nov 2025
- Publisher
- A2 CNN
- Date
- 2025
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 11 Feb 2026