ECO-ELB administrator arrested for passive corruption (Elbasan, Oct 2026)
Status: Arrested; investigation ongoing
Summary
On 5 Oct 2026 Albanian Daily News reported that SPAK, with the National Bureau of Investigation, arrested Leli Kaja, administrator of ECO-ELB sh.a., a waste management company in Elbasan. SPAK alleges he requested and received 400,000 lek from another economic operator's administrator in exchange for not carrying out required duties, and that the money was found in a personal search after the arrest.
No public official beyond the company administrator is named in the article. The company's public status is not stated in the article and was not verified.
Key facts
- Arrest reported 5 Oct 2026 (Albanian Daily News).
- Charge stated: passive corruption of persons exercising public functions, Art. 259(2) Criminal Code.
- Alleged amount: 400,000 lek (about EUR 4,300 at the exchange rate of about 93 lek per euro reported in Aug 2026; approximate, our conversion).
- No named political official in the source.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- An arrest was reported by the outlet citing SPAK.
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThe payment and the exchange for inaction.
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationSPAK alleges Leli Kaja requested and received 400,000 lek in exchange for not performing required duties (as reported).
Open questions (2)
- Is ECO-ELB a municipal or state-controlled company? Ownership was not in the source.
- Which duties were being avoided and for which operator?
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Presumed innocent until a final decision (as reported); no personal response found.
Figures
Money trail →Alleged bribe: 400,000 lek requested and received by ECO-ELB administrator
400,000 lek
Stated definition: Lek as reported. EUR conversion approximate (about 4,300 EUR at about 93 lek per euro); not stated in source.
Date: 5 Oct 2026 · Payer: Economic operator's administrator (per SPAK, as reported) · Payee: Leli Kaja (ECO-ELB administrator), alleged
- SPAK arrests ECO-ELB administrator (opens in a new tab)Albanian Daily News · 5 Oct 2026 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
ECO-ELB administrator arrested in flagrante for passive corruption (400,000 lekë)
SPAK case registered 1 Oct 2026 after a BKH referral; arrest on 5 Oct 2026 (Albanian Daily News).
SPAK
ECO-ELB administrator Leli Kaja arrested in flagrante by NBI on SPAK order
Balkanweb (5 Oct 2026) reproduces the SPAK official notice: Kaja, administrator of ECO-ELB (which the article says runs the Elbasan incinerator), was arrested in flagrante. The notice states he allegedly requested and received 400,000 lek from the administrator of an unnamed economic operator in exchange for not performing duties (passive corruption, Art. 259(2) Criminal Code, criminal proceeding no. 108/2026). The sum was reportedly seized in a personal search. No defence statement is reported. Balkanweb's custody report on another page is unconfirmed here.
SPAK
SPAK and NBI arrest ECO-ELB administrator Leli Kaja (400,000 lek, passive corruption)
Albanian Daily News reports the arrest on SPAK's direction. Charge: passive corruption under Art. 259(2).
Connections
Administrator of ECO-ELB sh.a., which runs the Elbasan incinerator (per Balkanweb, Oct 2026)
Evidence: Balkanweb (5 Oct 2026) names Kaja as administrator of ECO-ELB and says the company manages the Elbasan incinerator.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 2 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 2 sources
- Publisher
- Albanian Daily News
- Date
- 5 Oct 2026
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 5 Oct 2026