Organized Crime and Corruption in Albania

Abstract

Albanian society is facing a series of problems, with two key issues being Organized Crime and Corruption, which significantly impact the development of society and the well-being of its people, both in Albania and globally. After the fall of communism in Albania in 1991 and the 1997 unrest, there was a significant rise in organized crime and corruption, as criminal groups took advantage of the newfound freedoms in the country and the weak enforcement of law. This paper is designed to highlight criminal justice issues related to the phenomena addressed by the topic, namely organized crime and corruption, whose roots can be traced back to early occurrences. Furthermore, we will analyze the legal and institutional framework in Albania concerning organized crime and corruption. Special attention is given to identifying the connections between Organized Crime and Corruption, as both phenomena have caused major problems for our country. The 2016 judicial reforms and the vetting system brought significant developments in the justice system in Albania, demonstrating that approximately two-thirds of the citizens trust the seriousness of the work done by key institutions such as the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK), the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH), and the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), among others. The central question raised, and which this paper aims to answer, is: What is the current situation of Organized Crime and Corruption in Albania, and can we say that Organized Crime and Corruption are major obstacles for the country's integration process into the European Union? Between 2021 and 2025, SPAK and GJKKO have targeted high levels of organized crime and public officials, both current and former, in Albania. This is a very positive and significant indicator of the aforementioned institutions’ efforts against the phenomena of Organized Crime and Corruption. There are several fundamental reasons why it is crucial to eradicate organized crime and corruption in our country, including public trust, public security, economic development, and social progress.

Received: 20 April 2025 / Accepted: 19 June 2025 / Published: 25 June 2025