The Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Prosecution (SPAK) has selected Aida Hajnaj to lead the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH).
Hajnaj candidacy should be approved by the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) for a 5-year term appointment, with the right to be reappointed once.
US Ambassador Yuri Kim applauded the development in a Twitter post:
“Another step forward on the road to justice reform as the NBI Director Selection Committee sends the name of Aida Hajnaj to the HPC for approval. Next stop: FBI training with the best of American law enforcement[…]”
BKH is a specialized structure of the Judicial Police within SPAK, that will investigate criminal offenses of senior officials and organized crime cases.
SPAK excluded from the race three other candidates, Artur Beu, Ervin Hodaj and Idajet Faskaj.
Aida Hajnaj is the deputy chief of Albania’s state police.
Three days ago, the opposition Democratic Party stated that Prime Minister Edi Rama would capture the BKH by appointing Aida Hajnaj as its chief. They accused Hajnaj of releasing from detention Naser Gashi, a member of the Habilaj gang, suspected to be related to the former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri. Gashi was wanted for drug trafficking.
Ambassador Kim was harsh in her reaction after the PD statement.
“Looks like some are dreaming that the NBI will never be established, they hope justice will never come. Sorry to wake you from your slumber, but your dream will not come true. Justice reform will not be easy, quick, or perfect, but it is necessary & we must move forward,” she tweeted.
