Bank of Albania reserve vault theft (713 million lek), 2014: under the predecessor, not Sejko
Status: Convictions of the thieves (2015, appeal rejected 2023); governor discharged (2014).
Summary
In July 2014 the Bank of Albania found about 713 million lek (roughly EUR 5 million) missing from its reserve storage. An employee who held the keys, Ardian Bitraj, later confessed to taking the cash over four years. Governor Ardian Fullani was arrested in September 2014 and charged with abuse of office; Parliament voted to discharge him. Bitraj was sentenced in May 2015 to 20 years, and Mimoza Bruzia to 10 years; in November 2023 the Constitutional Court rejected Bruzia's appeal (search summaries). Sejko took office on 5 Feb 2015, after the theft was discovered. No source places Sejko in the theft or in the investigation of it.
The vault theft is often cited in discussions of the Bank's security, but in this file it is a different period and a different governor. Reports differ on the amount: some sources give USD 6 million (Central Banking) and others the lek figure.
Key facts
- 713 million lek (about EUR 5 million / USD 6.75 million) missing (Top Channel, Central Banking).
- Key holder: Ardian Bitraj; sentenced to 20 years (Tirana court, May 2015, per Tirana Times and Top Channel).
- Governor Fullani: arrested Sept 2014; Parliament discharged him 72-6 (per search summary; not verified in full text).
- Sejko appointed governor on 5 Feb 2015.
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.
- The theft occurred and the employee was convicted (court decisions as reported by multiple outlets).
- Sejko was not governor at the time of the theft.
What is alleged (0)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
Nothing recorded in this list.
Open questions (2)
- Whether the Bank's post-theft security review was independently audited (no KLSH report found).
- Exact figures: lek or USD/EUR, depends on the source.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- None from Sejko found; the theft is not linked to him in any source.
Figures
Money trail →Cash stolen from BoA reserve storage (lek figure)
€5,000,000
713,000,000 lek
lossSource label: VerifiedStated definition: Approximate EUR conversion from Top Channel/Central Banking. Central Banking gives USD 6m; sources disagree on the exact figure. Not Sejko's period.
Date: Jul 2014 · Payer: unknown · Payee: unknown
- Bank theft, bigger than 713 million ALL? (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · 2014 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Other
Bank of Albania finds 713 million lek missing from reserve storage
Discovered under Governor Ardian Fullani. The key holder later confessed; he was sentenced in 2015. Sejko not involved.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 2014
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- May 2015
- Publisher
- Central Banking
- Date
- 2014
- Publisher
- A2 News
- Date
- Nov 2023