Kristian Shkreli, the mayor of Vau i Dejës and a defendant charged by SPAK with active corruption in elections, appeared in court this Tuesday, where he denied the accusations against him. During the hearing, he challenged the prosecution’s reading of the intercepted conversations, insisting that he had not promised favors or money in exchange for votes.
Denial of the accusations in the courtroom
Before the court, Shkreli said that the communications included in the case file were not related to influencing voters, but rather to citizens’ problems and the organization of an election meeting.
He said he had offered nothing in exchange for votes and that his phone contacts were part of his daily commitments in response to complaints that, according to him, came from residents. Central to his explanation was also the case of the village of Stajkë, which he claimed had long had problems with electricity.
How Shkreli interprets the phrase “give it fire”
One of the points on which the accusation relies concerns the phrase “give it fire,” identified in the intercepted communications. According to Shkreli’s version, the expression was not related to a request for votes, but to the atmosphere at an election meeting.
He told the court that he had asked for participation and cheering at the rally, not promises of jobs, material benefits, or other favors. He also acknowledged that he had asked for as many people as possible to attend the gathering, presenting this as a normal campaign practice.
Facing questions from the SPAK prosecutor
During the hearing, SPAK prosecutor Dritan Prençi quoted parts of the phone conversations, including phrases such as “By Tuesday, you’ll have it done” and “Just see that he’s not delaying us just to give it fire; if it were for me, I’d be grateful to you.”
Another phrase raised by the prosecution was “We can’t wait for the state because the state is comfortable.” On this point, Shkreli offered a defensive explanation, saying he had used it as a joke to convince residents that the problem would be solved.
Claims about electricity problems and contacts with institutions
Shkreli insisted that his phone calls were related to intervention on specific community issues, especially the lack of electricity. According to him, residents had been left without power for about two weeks and his phone had not stopped ringing with complaints.
He also commented on another phrase mentioned by the prosecution, in which he is alleged to have told citizens, “I gave you the money.” Shkreli said this had been used to convince residents that the fault would be repaired, denying that he had given money to OSHEE or for any other purpose.
Search by the BKH and seizure of the phone
In his testimony, Shkreli also spoke about the moment of the search by BKH agents at his home and at his premises. He said more police forces took part in the operation and that he was asked for the phone he was holding in his hand.
According to his statement in the courtroom, the agents asked for the mobile phone password and he gave it to them immediately, without objection. He presented this episode as part of the course of the investigation being conducted against the mayor.
The case remains under judicial review, with two opposing versions facing off: the SPAK accusation based on the wiretaps and Shkreli’s defensive interpretation, which presents the conversations as communications about community concerns and electoral organization, not as bargaining for votes.