Sami Frasheri gymnasium, Tirana: SPAK abuse-of-office probe on reconstruction
Status: Probe registered 2022; later status not found
Summary
Tirana Municipality built the Sami Frasheri gymnasium in 2018. It was severely damaged in the November 2019 earthquake, according to a private assessment commissioned by the municipality. Reconstruction cost about EUR 4.5 million, compared with about EUR 700,000 for the original build, as reported by exit.al.
In 2022 SPAK registered an abuse-of-office proceeding on the basis of a citizen report. SPAK's spokesperson said no one was under investigation at that stage. Opposition figures alleged inflated costs. The EU delegation denied that EU funds would pay for the work. A watchdog article (ACQJ) reported that municipality-funded schools cost about twice as much as EU-funded ones. The case's later status was not found.
Key facts
- Built 2018 by Tirana Municipality; damaged in Nov 2019 earthquake (month from the source; exact day not confirmed).
- Reconstruction cost about EUR 4.5 million vs about EUR 700,000 original build (reported; not verified).
- SPAK proceeding registered on a citizen report; spokesperson said no one under investigation so far (June 2022).
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.
- SPAK registered an abuse-of-office proceeding (per SPAK spokesperson, June 2022).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationCost inflation and benefit to municipal officials (opposition allegation).
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.
- AllegationInflated reconstruction costs; municipal officials including the mayor would benefit (opposition, as reported).
Open questions (3)
- Current status of the SPAK proceeding.
- Source of the EUR 4.5 million figure (private assessment commissioned by the municipality).
- Whether the EU-funding claim was resolved.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Mayor Erion Veliaj denied wrongdoing, saying the case would likely be closed because there was no abuse of office (exit.al, 2022-06-03).
Figures
Money trail →Reconstruction cost, Sami Frasheri gymnasium
€4,500,000
contractSource label: Under investigationStated definition: approximate, as reported by exit.al citing a municipality-commissioned private assessment; not verified; the original 2018 build cost (about EUR 700,000) is in fin-sami-frasheri-original
Date: 2019-2022 · Payer: Tirana Municipality · Payee: not found
- SPAK says it's investigating Tirana school over abuse of office complaint (opens in a new tab)exit.al · 3 Jun 2022 · journalism · EN
Original build cost, Sami Frasheri gymnasium (2018)
€700,000
contractSource label: Under investigationStated definition: approximate, as reported by exit.al; not verified
Date: 2018 · Payer: Tirana Municipality · Payee: not found
- SPAK says it's investigating Tirana school over abuse of office complaint (opens in a new tab)exit.al · 3 Jun 2022 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
SPAK registers abuse-of-office proceeding on Sami Frasheri school
SPAK spokesperson said the proceeding was registered on a citizen report and that no one was under investigation at that stage. The mayor denied wrongdoing.
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
- exit.al
- Date
- 3 Jun 2022
- School reconstructions in Tirana: problems with delays and unjustified expenses (opens in a new tab)
- Publisher
- ACQJ
- Date
- not recorded