Tirana incinerator: first-instance verdict (16 Apr 2025) and appeal order (14 May 2026)
Status: First-instance verdict 16 Apr 2025 (Koka 2 years). Appeal order 14 May 2026 to return Koka to prison for six months. Enforcement not confirmed.
Summary
The Tirana case went to trial in late 2024 (Shqiptarja, search summary). Koka and seven other defendants were tried under the shortened procedure, while four defendants went to ordinary trial (Shqiptarja headline, search only). A2 reported on 7 April 2025 that the verdict was set for 16 April 2025. Albanian Daily News (14 May 2026) states that on 16 April 2025 the First Instance Court sentenced Lefter Koka to 2 years for abuse of office in the Tirana case.
On 14 May 2026 the Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime partly overturned an earlier decision that had revoked Koka's 'arrest in prison' measure, ordering him back to prison to serve the remaining six months. Albanian Daily News does not state whether he has been returned to custody. Search summaries mention an SPAK recourse to the Supreme Court and a claim that Koka could not be located at his registered address; neither was confirmed in an opened article.
Alqi Bllako's Tirana sentence: 4 years at first instance (A2 headline); Balkanweb reports a reduction to 3 years nominal on appeal (2 years effective); Shqiptarja reports a retrial order instead. Mirel Mërtiri and Klodian Zoto: no Tirana verdict found in sources read.
Key facts
- 16 Apr 2025: First Instance Court (GJKKO) sentences Lefter Koka to 2 years for abuse of office, Tirana case (Albanian Daily News, 14 May 2026).
- 14 May 2026: Special Court of Appeal orders Koka back to prison for the remaining six months (Albanian Daily News).
- Summary trial applied to Koka and seven other defendants (A2 headline, 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 (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- First-instance verdict of 16 Apr 2025 (Koka 2 years) and the 14 May 2026 appeal order are reported by Albanian Daily News.
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationCorruption and money laundering in the Tirana concession (SPAK allegations, unresolved).
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 charges in the Tirana file include corruption, fraud, money laundering and structured criminal group (search summary of SPAK charges).
Open questions (5)
- Whether Koka has been returned to custody, and whether SPAK's recourse to the Supreme Court has been decided.
- Bllako's Tirana appeal outcome (3 years nominal per Balkanweb vs retrial order per Shqiptarja).
- Koka's Tirana term: 3 years reduced to 2 under summary trial (Telegrafi, search only) vs 2 years stated by Albanian Daily News.
- Arrest-warrant counts: Exit reports 12 warrants for Tirana and Fier (date not visible); Shqiptarja reports 15 warrants for the Tirana concession (dated late 2023 in a search summary). Not resolved.
- Current status of the seizure of the Tirana concession company.
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Alqi Bllako: declared himself innocent and said he had no role in granting the concession (Shqiptarja headline, search only).
- Erion Veliaj dismissed opposition allegations as baseless (Tirana Times, 2023, per existing file).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Albanian Daily News
- Date
- 14 May 2026
- Publisher
- A2 CNN
- Date
- 7 Apr 2025
- Publisher
- A2 CNN
- Date
- Jan 2025
- Publisher
- A2 CNN
- Date
- Mar 2025