SPAK investigations suggest that Ergys Agasi, wanted for involvement in organized crime, was allegedly helped to avoid arrest for months through contacts with senior officials and exponents of organized crime.
On September 22, the police searched a complex of fortified villas in Shkozet, Durrës, where Agasi is suspected of having taken refuge during his escape. According to BIRN sources, the complex is linked to the “Troplini” clan, which SPAK considers one of the most dangerous organized crime groups in Albania. Senior leaders of state institutions have also been involved in the investigation, including the head of SHISH, Vlora Hyseni, the former director of the State Police, Ilir Proda, and an official from the Institute of Scientific Police, Fatjon Kalluçi.
According to the file data published in the media, from June to August Hyseni had over 500 communications with Agas, including phone calls, videos and messages. She is suspected of informing him about meetings with high-ranking officials and of having made available to him information or capacities of the institution she headed. Hyseni has disputed this version, stating that the communications began after Agas was offered as a “collaborator”, a claim that SPAK disputes.
Agasi was arrested on August 26 in the Plepatit area of Durres, after about eight months on the run. According to the investigation, during this time he moved freely and maintained contacts with underworld figures and state officials. The investigation has raised questions about the relationships between senior officials and suspected organized crime groups. Former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj has publicly accused Agasi of playing the role of “coordinator” between the underworld and the government of Edi Rama./BIRN
