LIST OF INDICTED IN GERDEC SCANDAL GROWS TO 37

C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000112 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2019 TAGS: KCOR KCRM KJUS PGOV PARM ASEC SUBJECT: LIST OF INDICTED IN GERDEC SCANDAL GROWS TO 37 REF: TIRANA 96 Classified By: Political-Econ Chief Paul Poletes for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Prosecution has provided Post with the list of those it has indicted or is in the process of indicting in relation to the Gerdec tragedy (ref). Since some of the individuals on the list have not been notified yet, prosecution has asked we keep this list confidential. ARRESTED IN MARCH 2008 -------------- - Ylli Pinari, former director of MEICO - Mihal Delijorgji, director of Albdemil, LTD. - Dritan Minxolli, technical director of Albdemil, LTD. INDICTED 11-13 FEB 2009 -------------- - Fatmir Mediu, former Minister of Defense - Luan Hoxha, former Chief of Defense - Agim Lala, former Deputy Chief of Defense - Shpetim Spahiu, former Commander of Joint Forces Command - Zija Bahja, former Commander of Support Command - Shkelzen Madani, former director of economics, Ministry of Defense - Dashnor Caushi, former director of J-4, General Staff - Adriatik Mema, former Secretary General, MoD - Ardian Mullai, former Secretary General, MoD - Ndue Marku, former legal director, MoD - Armand Tartari, former budget director, MoD - Hilmi Lacaj, former head of the munitions department, J-4, MoD WILL BE INDICTED IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS -------------- (Positions listed were previously held) - Sokol Ngjeci, munitions specialist, MEICO - Fahri Toska, Commission on the Categorization of Munitions, MoD - Zenun Ferro, Commission on the Categorization of Munitions, MoD - Hysni Cocka, Commission on the Categorization of Munitinos, MoD - Sokrat Papadhima, Commission on the Categorization of Munitions, MoD - Ismet Drenova, Commission to Study Costs, MoD - Nexhip Agaraj, Commission to Study Costs, MoD - Shkelzen Mehilli, Commission to Study Costs, MoD - Gezim Oshafi, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Denis Hajdari, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Jorgo Mino, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Fatbardh Kuci, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Rezart Tershana, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Besnik Dauti, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Agim Babameto, Commission to Approve Prices, MoD - Ardian Spaho, Head Engineer, Polican Munitions Factory - Petrit Llapi, Head of Economics Department, Polican Munitions Factory - Memli Kasapi, Director, Polican Munitions Factory - Fiqiret Mato, Director, Gramsh Military Factory - Lavdi Shatro, Director, Polican Munitions Factory - Julian Margariti, Finance Director, MEICO - Spiro Zaka, Marketing Director, MEICO PERSONS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION THAT MAY BE INDICTED LATER -------------- -------------- - Bardhi Celiku (?) - Albert Bora (?) - Ajet Met'hoxha (?) ¶2. (C) Comment: The number and nature of indictments (involving entire departments, and all carrying the same lesser charge of "abuse of office") reinforce the impression that the prosecution has issued blanket indictments to all involved in some way. It is unclear what the prosecutors' strategy will be, since Albania does not have a plea system whereby the prosecution can use plea-bargaining with lesser individuals to obtain more condemning evidence against the "bigger fish." There has been much public pressure to indict all involved in any way in the Gerdec tragedy, but some critics fear that prosecutors may be seeking a compromise solution with the government by slapping all involved with a lesser charge. However, Prosecutor General Ina Rama has not normally been one to back down from a potential fight with the government. WITHERS