DASH report on money laundering in Albania: No progress. Progress with the seizure of Balili assets!
2021-03-03 09:51:00
Dritare.net
The US State Department published the 2020 report for Albania, which states that the country has not made significant progress towards preventing money laundering. But one of the steps estimated is the seizure of Klement Balili's assets, dubbed the "Escobar of the Balkans". Real estate investments and businesses, the report said, are among the most common methods of money laundering.
including the confiscation of 40 per cent of assets belonging to the infamous drug king Clement Balili, dubbed the "Escobar of the Balkans". Ongoing judicial reforms, including vetting judges and prosecutors to root out corruption in the justice sector and the creation of numerous specialized police units targeting financial and economic crimes, have improved Albania's prospects for tackling money laundering. However, these efforts are hampered by capacity challenges in the newly established justice institutions and widespread corruption that undermines the rule of law. including vetting judges and prosecutors to root out corruption in the justice sector and the creation of numerous specialized police units targeting financial and economic crimes, have improved Albania's prospects for tackling money laundering. However, these efforts are hampered by capacity challenges in the newly established justice institutions and widespread corruption that undermines the rule of law. including vetting judges and prosecutors to root out corruption in the justice sector and the creation of numerous specialized police units targeting financial and economic crimes, have improved Albania's prospects for tackling money laundering. However, these efforts are hampered by capacity challenges in the newly established justice institutions and widespread corruption that undermines the rule of law.
Narcotics trafficking and other organized crime activities are the main sources of money laundering. Albania's proximity to Western Europe and the presence of Albanian organized crime in Western Europe and South America increase weaknesses. Real estate investments and business development projects are among the most common methods of laundering illicit proceeds. Legal loopholes in AML 2019 legislation still allow casinos in five-star resorts and resorts.
Volume II Money Laundering
Albania has comprehensive requirements for CDD and STR. In January 2020, parliament passed anti-illicit enrichment legislation giving the Specialized Anti-Corruption Authority (SPAK) and the Albanian State Police (ASP) the ability to target illicit assets through seizure and confiscation and restrict economic activity and free movement of criminals. While effective in the initial seizure of property, meeting the evidentiary requirements for the final seizure of property remains challenging.
Recent legal and policy changes have improved Albania's ability to combat money laundering and financial crime, although implementation has been volatile. The Anti-Mafia Law was amended in 2020 to improve the management of confiscated assets.
Ligji shqiptar kërkon zbulimin vjetor të pasurive nga zyrtarët publikë, duke përfshirë një kërkesë që zyrtarët të deklarojnë trajtim preferencial dhe pronësi përfituese të pasurive. Dispozitat gjithashtu ndalojnë zyrtarët të mbajnë para të konsiderueshme jashtë sistemit bankar.Shqipëria dhe Shtetet e Bashkuara nuk kanë një MLAT dypalëshe, por bashkëpunimi është i mundur përmes konventave shumëpalëshe.
DEFICENCAT LIGJORE, POLITIKE DHE RREGULLATIVE T AM AML-së
NjIF i Shqipërisë po pëson ndryshime në udhëheqje dhe po kërkon asistencë teknike ndërkombëtare për të kontribuar në një regjim më të fortë të LPP. Reformat kushtetuese dhe ligjore në vitet e fundit përfshijnë reformat në sistemin e drejtësisë dhe verifikimin e gjyqtarëve dhe prokurorëve për pasuri të pashpjegueshme. Dyzet e gjashtë përqind e gjyqtarëve dhe prokurorëve të verifikuar deri më sot kanë dështuar si rezultat i pasurisë së pashpjegueshme ose të pasur lidhje personale me subjekte të dyshimta, dhe një tjetër 17 përqind kanë dhënë dorëheqjen për të shmangur kontrollin.
Albania has a significant black market for smuggled goods that facilitate weak border controls and customs enforcement. Courts often refuse to convict for money laundering, in the absence of a conviction for a criminal offense. Albania needs to effectively enforce existing laws and continue to develop the capacity of its police and prosecutors to focus on corruption, money laundering and economic crime. The staff of the National Bureau of Investigation, which is the investigative arm of the SPAK, has suffered delays, but is continuing. "Substantial reforms of the criminal code in 2016 and 2017 aimed to build a more effective system, but the implementation of these reforms is still a challenge," the report said.
