An institutional psychologist for BKH investigators and for interviews with at-risk witnesses is one of the requests SPAK put on the table during its reporting to Parliament on the 2027 draft budget. Alongside this, the institution has also planned spending on safes, paper shredders, vehicles and technological equipment, while the total budget, according to its leaders, continues to expand significantly.
Psychologist for the BKH and the investigative process
During discussions in the Committee on Citizens’ Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight, the request for an institutional psychologist for 2027 was presented.
According to SPAK representatives, this is linked to the psychological pressure, threats and heavy workload faced by investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation. Under the official explanation, the psychologist would also help in interviews that investigators conduct with at-risk witnesses and justice collaborators, as part of the investigative process.
Safes, paper shredders and equipment for the new building
The draft budget sets aside 15 million lek for office equipment, including furniture, equipment for support areas, as well as safes and paper shredders.
According to the reporting in Parliament, these investments are linked to the increase in staff and the operationalization of the new building. For the new premises, another 10 million lek was also mentioned for other equipment, while 174 million lek has been planned for electronic equipment and technological infrastructure.
Growing budget, but also many vacancies
Prosecutor Alfred Shehu said SPAK’s budget has increased from 327 million lek in 2020 to 2.3 billion lek in 2026, an increase that he said reaches 608 percent. For 2027, the draft budget is projected at 2.32 billion lek.
According to the version presented by SPAK, the increase is justified by the expansion of activity, the volume of work and the increase in employees. However, the figures themselves show that the institution continues to have significant staffing gaps. Out of 339 total planned positions, there are currently 119 vacancies, the vast majority of them in the BKH.
More investigators and vehicles requested
SPAK has requested 25 new positions in its staffing structure for 2027, eight of them in the Special Prosecution Office and 17 in the BKH. In parallel, according to the reporting, procedures have begun for the recruitment of 40 investigators.
Shehu said another 94 new investigators are needed, while 57 requests for additional employees have been submitted for the administration. He argued that the recruitment process is delayed by the verification of documentation, testing and checks of candidates’ assets and background. For 2027, 30 million lek has also been planned for the purchase of eight vehicles.
Committee debate over use of funds
During the meeting, MP Evis Kushi raised questions over the share of salaries and social insurance in the budget, as well as over the implementation of funds and how vacant posts will be covered by the end of the year.
SPAK said that no additional funds had been requested for capital investments, arguing that the needs had been planned within budget ceilings. In the same reporting, it was stressed that, in line with European Commission recommendations, the priority will be investigations into high-level corruption, organized crime, money laundering and the tracing of assets with criminal sources.
The reporting highlighted two parallel pictures: on the one hand, an institution seeking more money, staff and specialized support; on the other, a structure that still operates with many vacancies and increased logistical and technological needs.
Beyond the rising figures, the question remains about the real efficiency of these funds and the institution’s ability to turn them into concrete investigative capacity.