The Albanian Ministry of Justice has officially submitted to Switzerland the extradition request for former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, who has been indicted by SPAK for two cases: the Tirana crematorium case and the privatization of the land of the former state-owned company BUKA.

Ahmetaj fled to Switzerland in July 2023, a few days before SPAK requested his arrest in connection with the incinerator scandal. No security measure has yet been issued against the former high-ranking official in the “Buka” case.

During yesterday's hearing at the Special Court, the prosecutor in the case informed about the request to start Ahmetaj's trial, explaining that the process began in 2022 following a citizen's complaint regarding the privatization of the company BUKA Sha. According to SPAK, Ahmetaj had signed the order to privatize the company, despite relevant court decisions prohibiting this action, which puts him face to face with potential legal liabilities.

The court is also considering calling witnesses in the proceedings, while Interpol has confirmed that Ahmetaj is currently in Switzerland. The Albanian Ministry of Justice is awaiting a response from Swiss authorities on the extradition request for the former official, while investigations into both cases remain ongoing, including a €3 million transfer allegedly linked to Ahmetaj that was headed to Austria.