Shëngjin/Lezhë coast: land alienation scheme and former MP Arben Ndoka
Status: Arben Ndoka case dismissed (reported 2021); Gjevi Ndoka convicted, 13 years upheld on appeal (reported).
Summary
Former Socialist Party MP Arben Ndoka was arrested in October 2018 in an operation named 'Volvo 4' and accused of forging documents and alienating coastal public land at Shëngjin, Lezhë. Prosecutors reportedly seized about 30 hectares (300,000 m2) of land and several apartments, valued at about 40 million euro by the prosecution's statement as relayed by Fox News. Later press reported 75 properties worth about 55 million euro seized from a group led by the Ndoka family.
The Lezhë court dismissed the case against Arben Ndoka in April 2021, finding the offence not proven (Exit News). His brother Gjevi Ndoka received 13 years, which the Special Appeal Court upheld (Shqiptarja). The sources do not show clearly whether the seizures and the dismissed case concern the same assets.
Key facts
- Arrest October 2018, operation 'Volvo 4' (Exit News).
- 30 hectares (300,000 m2) of land and apartments seized (Fox News; Top Channel).
- About 40 million euro reported value (prosecutors' statement, Fox News).
- Lezhë court dismissed the case against Arben Ndoka, April 2021 (Exit News).
- Gjevi Ndoka's 13-year sentence upheld (Shqiptarja).
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.
- Gjevi Ndoka's sentence upheld on appeal (reported).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationCoordinated land-alienation scheme involving the Ndoka family.
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.
- AllegationForged documents and alienation of coastal public land at Shëngjin.
Open questions (2)
- Whether the 75-property, 55 million euro seizure relates to the same file.
- Arben Ndoka's appeal status after dismissal.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Arben Ndoka denied the allegations (Fox News summary).
Figures
Money trail →Shëngjin public land (30 ha) and apartments seized, reported value
€40,000,000
Incomplete figureseizureSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: Reported value of 30 hectares (300,000 m2) per prosecutors' statement as relayed by Fox News. Valuation method not stated. Incomplete: apartments not valued separately.
Date: Oct 2018 · Payer: not found · Payee: State (seizure)
- Albania prosecutors confiscate illegally sold public land (opens in a new tab)Fox News (AP) · unknown · journalism · EN
- €40 mln of assets belonging to arrested former MP were seized by court (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · unknown · journalism · EN
Ndoka-family group: 75 properties seized
€55,000,000
seizureSource label: UnverifiedStated definition: Headline figure only (Shqiptarja). May overlap with the 40m seizure above. Not verified.
Date: unknown · Payer: not found · Payee: State (seizure)
- Goditja më e madhe e SPAK: zbulohen 75 pasuritë me vlerë 55 mln euro (opens in a new tab)Shqiptarja · unknown · journalism · SQ
Connections
Arrested 2018; case dismissed 2021
Evidence: Exit News reports the arrest (2018-10) and dismissal (2021-04).
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 6 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 6 sources
- Publisher
- Fox News (AP)
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Exit News
- Date
- Oct 2018
- Publisher
- Exit News
- Date
- Apr 2021
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- unknown
- Publisher
- Shqiptarja
- Date
- unknown