Brussels did not go into the substance of the Vlora Hyseni case, but the political message that emerged from the European Commission was unequivocal: no comment on an ongoing case, but declared support for SPAK and for investigations into organized crime and corruption.
European Commission avoids comment on the specific case
Asked about the case involving the former head of SHISH and the security measure of “house arrest,” European Commission spokesperson for enlargement Guillaume Mercier said Brussels does not comment on cases that are still ongoing.
This means the EU has taken no position on guilt, innocence, or the evidence involved in the case. At least on a formal level, the Commission is keeping its distance from the substance of the investigation.
Political message: full confidence in SPAK
Although he avoided any comment on the specific case, Mercier gave a clear position on the institution investigating the file. According to him, the European Commission has full confidence in SPAK’s ability to detect, investigate and prosecute organized crime.
This wording shifts the emphasis away from the person under investigation and onto the legitimacy of the special structure. In practice, the signal from Brussels is read as institutional support for the process to continue without political interference.
EU says it is closely following the rule of law in Albania
Mercier said the Commission is closely following developments related to the rule of law, especially justice reform and the fight against organized crime and corruption.
According to Brussels’ official position, Albania has made considerable progress in these areas. However, the very fact that these developments are being closely monitored shows that such issues remain a direct test of the real functioning of justice and institutions.
Contacts with authorities and expectation for the enlargement report
The EU spokesperson also said that contacts with the Albanian authorities are continuing. He said that, in a broader sense, the Commission is constantly in communication with its counterparts in Tirana.
For a fuller assessment of the situation in Albania, Mercier referred to the upcoming enlargement report, which is expected to be published in the coming weeks. It remains to be seen there whether the supportive language toward justice reform will also be accompanied by a more critical assessment of institutional standards.
At a time when the Vlora Hyseni case has sparked political clashes in Tirana, the EU’s reaction remains cautious on the substance of the case, but not neutral on the architecture of the investigation.
Brussels is not taking sides on the case file, but it is making clear that its institutional trust lies with SPAK and with the way this structure will carry the investigation through to the end.