Llogara Tunnel tender (SH8 Vlorë-Sarandë, Orikum-Himarë section)
Status: Under investigation. Balluku indicted (reported 31 Oct 2025). Immunity not lifted (12 Mar 2026). No trial verdict found.
Summary
The Llogara Tunnel is a 5.99 km road link on the southern coast, reported at about 190 million euros. The tender was reopened on 22 June 2021 after an earlier round was annulled. A consortium of Intekar Yapi and ASL Insaat won, according to 2021 reporting. SPAK alleges that Balluku, together with Evis Berberi and several commission members, predetermined the winner and gave unfair advantages to a consortium. The Democratic Party raised cost concerns in 2021 and said the winning offer was higher than the rival bid. Balluku denies wrongdoing.
In November 2025 the GJKKO court suspended Balluku and placed two officials under house arrest. In 2026 parliament declined to lift her immunity. The case is at the investigation stage in the sources reviewed; no trial verdict was found.
Several allegations rest on messages reported from the SPAK file. The exact content, dates and authenticity of those messages have not been tested in court.
Key facts
- Project value reported as about 190 million euros (Tirana Times, Nov 2025; EWB, Feb 2026).
- Tender reopened 22 June 2021 with reformatted parameters (Balkanweb, reporting SPAK file).
- Intekar Yapi and ASL Insaat named as the winning consortium (Shqiptarja, 12 Oct 2021).
- Winning offer reported above 17 billion lek; ministry spending ceiling 18.9 billion lek (Shqiptarja, 12 Oct 2021, PD statement).
- SPAK alleges predetermination of the winner by Balluku with Berberi, Gjyli, Elezi, Dervishi and Kashnica (Shteg, Nov 2025).
- Prosecutors say tender rules were changed after annulment of an earlier procedure, excluding a lower-priced Albanian bidder (Tirana Times, Nov 2025, citing prosecutors).
What is proven
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- Balluku was indicted by SPAK and the indictment was reported on 31 October 2025 (multiple reports; primary SPAK text not retrieved).
- GJKKO imposed suspension from duty and a travel ban on Balluku, and house arrest on Gjyli and Elezi (reported 20-21 Nov 2025).
- Parliament did not authorise SPAK's request to lift Balluku's immunity (vote reported 12 Mar 2026).
What is alleged
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- Predetermination of the tender winner and unequal treatment of bidders.
- Concealment of messages and undue influence on tender commission members.
- Possible money laundering and concealment of assets in related matters (reported as separate SPAK actions; see Dhermi villa case).
Allegations and who made them
- SPAK alleges Balluku monitored and controlled the Llogara Tunnel project and predetermined the winner, creating unfair advantages and privileges (SPAK, as reported by Shteg, Nov 2025).
- SPAK alleges that the 2021 reopened tender was manipulated, and that the winning consortium did not meet key requirements such as bridge experience and ISO certification (Balkanweb, reporting SPAK file).
- Democratic Party (Helidon Bushati, 2021) alleged the ministry chose the more expensive offer.
Open questions
- Primary SPAK indictment text and the exact list of charges have not been retrieved.
- Authenticity and context of the Signal and other messages reported from the file.
- Whether the 2026 further procurement accusations (reported 7 Aug 2026) overlap with the Llogara tender or are separate procedures.
- Whether the claimed 20 Oct 2026 final charges exist (not found in any source).
Responses
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Balluku: denies wrongdoing (Tirana Times, 11 Nov 2025). Reported as calling the allegations baseless and politically amplified (secondary summary; not fetched).
Figures
Money trail →Llogara Tunnel project value (reported)
€190,000,000
contractSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Stated definition: Project value as reported by Tirana Times (Nov 2025) and EWB (Feb 2026). Not a verified contract value. Search summary figures of 139.33 million euros were not confirmed and are not used.
Date: 2021 · Payer: Albanian state (reported) · Payee: Intekar Yapi and ASL Insaat consortium (reported as winner)
- Tirana Times: Balluku charges test PM Rama's power (opens in a new tab)Tirana Times · 11 Nov 2025 · journalism · EN
Winning consortium offer (2021, as stated by PD)
17,000,000,000 lek
tenderSource label: DisputedContested by the person concerned, or the evidence conflicts.Stated definition: 'Over 17 billion lek' per Shqiptarja, quoting the PD statement. The ministry spending ceiling was 18.9 billion lek. The Albanian JV bid was 15.8 billion lek without VAT (Shqiptarja). Figures are party/press claims.
Date: 12 Oct 2021 · Payer: Ministry (reported) · Payee: Intekar Yapi and ASL Insaat consortium
- Konsorciumi turk fituese e tenderit (Shqiptarja) (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · 12 Oct 2021 · journalism · SQ
Llogara tunnel contract, Intekar Yapi / ASL consortium (Tunnelbuilder figure)
€139,330,000
17,040,000,000 lek
Incomplete figurecontractSource label: Under investigationCredible reporting or investigative material that a court has not established.Stated definition: Contract value as listed by Tunnelbuilder. INCOMPLETE/CONFLICTING: other figures in this file (155.08m excl. VAT tender notice; 170m Shqiptarja allegation; 168m Hill; 178m USD World Highways; 158.4m USD / 138.4m EUR in a Turkish summary).
Date: Oct 2021 · Payer: Government of Albania (Ministry of Infrastructure / ARRSH; contracting authority per sources) · Payee: Intekar Yapi / ASL Insaat joint venture
- Tunnelbuilder: Llogara tunnel (Albania) (opens in a new tab)Tunnelbuilder · undated · journalism · EN
Llogara tunnel tender notice (earlier listing)
€155,080,000
18,970,000,000 lek
Incomplete figuretenderSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.Stated definition: Tender notice value excluding VAT, duration 37 months, per Tunnelbuilder listing summary. INCOMPLETE: not compared to the signed contract value.
Date: Jun 2021 · Payer: Government of Albania · Payee: tender (open to bidders)
- Tunnelbuilder: Llogara tunnel (Albania) (opens in a new tab)Tunnelbuilder · undated · journalism · EN
Llogara winning bid, opposition allegation (about 170 million euro)
€170,000,000
Incomplete figurecontractSource label: UnverifiedAnonymous tip, social-media upload or a single unconfirmed report.Stated definition: Allegation from Democratic Party and reported by Shqiptarja (title: winners took the tender at 170 mln euro breaking criteria). Not verified; conflicts with 139.33m. The rival bid (including Concord Engineering) was said to be about 12 million dollars lower. INCOMPLETE.
Date: Oct 2021 · Payer: Government of Albania · Payee: Intekar Yapi / ASL Insaat joint venture
- Dosja e tunelit te Llogarase: si fituan turqit tenderin 170 mln euro duke shkelur kriteret (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · undated · journalism · SQ
- Konsorciumi turk fituese e tenderit per tunelin e Llogarase (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · undated · journalism · SQ
Llogara tunnel contract value per World Highways
No amount recorded
Incomplete figurecontractSource label: UnverifiedAnonymous tip, social-media upload or a single unconfirmed report.Stated definition: World Highways gives US$178 million (currency USD; conversion not made here). INCOMPLETE: no EUR conversion or date in the summary read.
Date: Oct 2021 · Payer: Government of Albania · Payee: Intekar Yapi / ASL Insaat joint venture
- New Albanian road tunnel project (World Highways) (opens in a new tab)World Highways · undated · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
Llogara tender reopened with reformatted parameters
Balkanweb, citing the SPAK file, reports the tender was reopened on this date with reformatted parameters after an earlier round was annulled. Earlier bidders were reported as disqualified.
Other
Democratic Party accuses ministry of choosing the more expensive Llogara offer
Democratic Party MP Helidon Bushati said the ministry led by Balluku chose the more expensive offer. He said: 'zgjodhi ofertën më të shtrenjtë për xhepat e qytetarëve' (chose the more expensive offer for citizens' pockets). He also said the party would file a criminal complaint with SPAK (quoted translation: 'The Democratic Party will not be satisfied only with denouncing this scandal'). Translations are mine.
Government
Turkish JV starts construction of Llogara tunnel (PM Rama)
SeeNews headline dated 15 Nov 2021 reports the Turkish JV has started construction, per PM Rama. The article body was not retrievable (only headline and date fetched).
Government
Llogara tunnel opened to traffic
Tunnel opened to traffic (Turkish-language summary gives 5 July 2024; SeeNews headline and Top Channel reporting also cover the opening). Opening in stages: cars and buses first, then heavy vehicles (per search summary).
SPAK
SPAK indicts Balluku for breaching tender equality
Reported date of SPAK's indictment of Balluku, then Deputy PM, for violating equality among tender participants. Wikipedia (citing Balkan Insight) and several search summaries give this date. The shteg article of 21 Nov 2025 describes the indictment as about two weeks before the GJKKO measures. The primary SPAK announcement was not retrieved.
Media
Tirana Times: Balluku denies wrongdoing; prosecutors' account of the tunnel tender
Tirana Times reports the tunnel project was 5.99 km and worth 190 million euros. Prosecutors say tender rules were changed after an earlier procedure was annulled. Foreign supervisors reportedly raised concerns in 2022 about steel and design deviations. Balluku denies wrongdoing.
Court
GJKKO suspends Balluku from duty and bans her from leaving Albania
The Special Court (GJKKO) suspended Balluku from duty and banned her from leaving Albania. Gentian Gjyli and Erald Elezi were placed under house arrest. The court cited risk of flight, reoffending and interference with the investigation. The offence carries one to five years' imprisonment. The court said the offence was alleged to have been committed twice, in collaboration with others.
Court
GJKKO reasoning: suspension of a minister permitted under Article 242
Shqiptarja's reporting of the court reasoning quotes Article 242(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code: 'Kjo masë nuk zbatohet ndaj personave të zgjedhur sipas ligjit elektoral' (translation: 'This measure does not apply to persons elected under the electoral law'). The court reads this as excluding only deputies, mayors and council members, so suspension is allowed for a minister. It states: 'Në rastin konkret, për të pandehurën Belinda Balluku, nuk ka ndalim ligjor' (translation: 'In this specific case, for the defendant Belinda Balluku, there is no legal prohibition'). Judge named as Erion Çela. Translations are mine.
Court
Constitutional Court vote on government appeal against GJKKO suspension (4-4 reported)
A search summary citing a Shqiptarja analysis reports the Constitutional Court split 4-4 on the government's request to annul the GJKKO suspension, so the request was not accepted (majority of five not reached). A separate Shqiptarja headline reports 'Belinda Balluku kthehet në detyrë' (Balluku returns to duty), which conflicts with the 4-4 account. Other search summaries mention a 12 December 2025 interim decision by 5-3. These accounts conflict and were not verified against the Court's published decisions.
Government
Rama announces legislative change to Article 242
Top Channel reporting (via Shqiptarja, 11 Feb 2026) says Rama announced on 10 Feb 2026 that the Socialist group would address the matter through legislation. The proposed text would exclude from suspension officials whose functions derive from the Constitution (President, PM, ministers, People's Advocate, head of Supreme Audit Institution, Bank of Albania governor). Rama's quoted sentence (translation mine): 'grupi parlamentar socialist do të angazhohet për zgjidhjen përmes ndërhyrjes në legjislacion' (the Socialist parliamentary group will commit to resolving it through legislative intervention). Reported drafting by Justice Minister Besfort Lamallari is a report, not a confirmed statement.
Government
Rama dismisses Balluku from government in reshuffle
Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissed Balluku as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister during a wider cabinet reshuffle. European Western Balkans (27 Feb 2026) describes her as indicted at that point. Reuters is cited for the same event on Wikipedia, but the Reuters article was not fetched.
Parliament
Parliament rejects SPAK request to lift Balluku's immunity and authorise arrest
Parliament voted against SPAK's request to lift Balluku's immunity and authorise her arrest. Reports give 82 votes against and 47 for; the reported split differs between outlets (one report puts 79 from PS and 3 from PD among the 47). A simple majority of 71 was reported as needed. Balluku was not present. Balluku remains under investigation with the travel ban in place. Rama said the matter was closed. The Mandates Council majority report, presented by Ulsi Manja, said there was no basis to grant the request. The vote counts were taken from search summaries and not checked against the Assembly's official record.
Protest
Protests outside Parliament; German and Dutch embassy statements
Opposition supporters protested outside Parliament after the vote, chanting 'No immunity for thieves!' (reported). Reports say some demonstrators threw fireworks at police. Berisha called for another protest on 22 March (reported). The German Embassy said effective prosecution of high-level corruption is essential for EU integration. The Dutch Embassy condemned the vote and called for swift, unimpeded prosecution. Rama thanked the embassies on X and called the protest a 'Molotov cocktail association' (reported). The German and Dutch statements are reported from search summaries; the Balkanweb article was not fetched.
International
EU Rule of Law Report 2026, Albania chapter (SWD(2026) 928)
The Commission's 2026 Rule of Law Report Albania chapter is dated 17 July 2026 (per Balkanweb and search results). Press summaries say the report credits SPAK with a track record in high-level cases, notes that asset seizures and confiscations remain low, and flags the Assembly's refusal to lift an MP's immunity as a checks-and-balances concern. The full SWD text was not retrieved; the points come from secondary coverage and must be checked against the primary document.
SPAK
SPAK informs Balluku of further procurement-related accusations
Tirana Times (dateline 7 Aug 2026) reports that Balluku appeared before SPAK to be informed of additional accusations linked to several public procurement procedures. SPAK did not identify the procedures, values or companies, and has not disclosed the evidence. It is not stated whether these overlap with the Llogara case.
Connections
Investigation←Belinda BallukuSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Accused in the Llogara case
Evidence: SPAK indictment for predetermining the tender winner (reported 31 Oct 2025).
Investigation←Evis BerberiSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
Former ARRSH head named by SPAK
Evidence: SPAK names him among those who acted with Balluku in the tender allegations.
Communication←Helidon BushatiSource label: Officially reportedStated by an official body (SPAK, a court, the Ombudsman, a prosecutor). An accusation is verified only as an accusation.
PD complaint, 2021 statement
Evidence: PD said it would file a complaint with SPAK over the 2021 Llogara tender.
Public contract←Intekar Yapi Turizm Elektrik ve Insaat Taahhut (Intekar Yapi)Source label: VerifiedBacked by official documents, a final court decision, or several reliable independent sources.
Llogara tunnel contract (consortium member)
Evidence: Contract awarded to the Intekar Yapi / ASL consortium; construction started Nov 2021 (SeeNews headline).