Press Release

Shkodra Prosecution Office seized the assets belonging to citizen K.N., also known as K.J., listed as internationally wanted by Interpol Rome, for being convicted to 13 years and 5 months of imprisonment for the criminal offence of 'Exploitation of prostitution'.

This prosecution has registered the criminal case no. 1310/2020, charging K.N., allias K.J., with the offense of " Laundering the Proceeds of Criminal Offence or Criminal Activity" as stipulated in Article 287 of the Criminal Code, following the information that this citizen had profitted significant incomne through involvement in prostitution and trafficking of narcotics primarily within the European Union. Subsequently, K.N. began laundering these proceeds within the Republic of Albania by investing in real estate, vehicles, and various commercial ventures, either in his own name or through associated individuals.

Under these circumstances, following a thorough investigation into both the movable and real estates belonging to this citizen in the Republic of Albania, a reasonable suspicion has beeen arisen that their acquisition cannot be justified by his legitimate income or his family's. Additionally, it has been discovered that the majority of these assets were procured or registered under the names of family members and subsequently sold to third parties, with the intent of concealing traces and hiding their criminal origin.

Due to the lack of justification through lawful means of the identified assets, Shkodra District Court, upon Shkodra Prosecution Office’s request, through Decision No. 279 (1862), dated 16.04.2024, has seized the illicit assets under the name of citizen K.N., alias K.J., and associated individuals. Specifically:

-Property No. 272/242, a 420 m2 plot of land, including a 139 m2 building in it; and

-Property No. 18/181, Cadastral Zone No. 8597, comprising a commercial unit spanning 112.3 m2, with an estimated market value of around 500,000 (five hundred thousand) euros.