The “SASPAC” case has still not gone to trial. After more than a year of preliminary hearings, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime, known as GJKKO, decided to return the case for additional investigation, giving SPAK until October 30 to complete the tasks assigned by the court.
Court stops case on the eve of trial
The GJKKO decision affects not only former Health Minister Ilir Beqaj, but also Ermal Kurtulani and the other defendants involved in the “SASPAC” case. In essence, the court did not consider the case file ready to move into the trial phase.
This development shifts attention back to the quality of the investigation and the way the case has been built by the prosecution, in a file that has drawn heightened public attention because of the high profile of the defendants.
SPAK given tasks and a deadline until October 30
According to the court’s decision, the prosecution must complete the investigation within the set deadline, by October 30. This means the preliminary hearing did not result in the case being sent to trial, but in a step back to complete elements the court considered necessary.
The fact that this is happening after more than a year of preliminary hearings raises questions about the pace and effectiveness of the procedure in a sensitive case, where public expectations have been for faster clarity and a stronger investigative standard.
What the former minister is accused of
Ilir Beqaj faces five charges: “passive corruption,” “violation of equality in tenders,” “document forgery,” “fraud” in cooperation, and “failure to declare assets.” These are the charges brought at this stage of the proceedings.
The latest decision does not amount to a ruling on the guilt or innocence of the defendants, but shows that the court has requested further investigation before the file can proceed to a full trial.
The return of the “SASPAC” file to SPAK leaves one of the most sensitive cases involving a former senior government official on hold.
For now, the burden shifts back to the prosecution, which must meet the court’s requests within the set deadline.