Himara is back in the spotlight in yet another high-ranking official asset control case in Albania. This time, the focus is on former Supreme Court judge Guxim Zenelaj, whose real estate is being permanently confiscated, following the Supreme Court's decision to reject the appeal of the original decision.
The most resonant aspect of the case concerns a 1,000 square meter plot of land in Porto Palermo, in Himara, which is now being transferred to the State. This is not the first time that, in cases of investigation for illegal activities or unjustified enrichment, a property-file in Himara appears. The coastal zone of the area seems to be a constant point of reference in control files, with the question remaining how these areas were originally acquired and with what financial possibilities.
In addition to the land in Himara, the confiscation also includes six properties on the island of Sengin in Leza: three apartments of approximately 60, 67 and 51 square meters, a space of 218 square meters and two underground warehouses of 16 and 15 square meters. According to the court findings, these assets are not justified by the declared income of the former judge.
The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Special Court of Appeal of July 2024, ruling that there were no grounds for overturning it. Thus, the transfer of the properties to the state becomes final.
At the same time, in a separate criminal proceeding, the Court of Appeal had converted the initial six-month prison sentence imposed for false declaration of assets into 100 hours of community service.
The Zenelaj case once again highlights the broader issue of the origin of assets in sensitive coastal areas, with Himara re-emerging as a common denominator in cases involving individuals under control. The court decisions close the legal circle of this specific case, but questions about how such lands were acquired remain open.
