SPAK has doubts that the consortium of companies that is building the Vlora Airport was predetermined as the winner of the concession. Three days ago, special prosecutors communicated the charge of violating equality in tenders to several members of the bid evaluation commission.
This action was taken because there was a risk that the criminal offense would be statute-barred. But the special prosecutor and head of SPAK, Klodian Braho, who is leading the investigation, is verifying the role of senior officials and it is expected that they will be summoned to be informed of the charges.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy announced in March 2021 the winners of the concession contract; a consortium consisting of the company Mabco Construction SA of Kosovar businessman Behgjet Pacolli, the Turkish company YDA Group, and 2A Group owned by Valon Ademi, another businessman from Kosovo.
According to a BIRN investigation, the winning consortium offered an investment value of 104 million euros and in May 2021 established the concession company, Vlora International Airport, VIA, with quotas divided into 58% for Pacolli, 40% for the Turkish company and 2% for Valon Ademi.
YDA Group was included in the consortium for its technical capacities in airport operation, but in September 2022, it left the project with the approval of the Ministry of Infrastructure, selling its share package to Pacolli for 4,450 euros.
Currently, the two shareholders Behgjet Pacolli and Valon Ademi are clashing fiercely and accusing each other. Numerous lawsuits are being reviewed in the courts, while the Tirana prosecutor's office is conducting a parallel investigation regarding this matter.
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