Appointed SHISH chief makes first public appearance: who is Elvis Lila, with a 20-year intelligence career

The National Security Council met today for the first time in three years, convened by President Bajram Begaj.

The meeting was attended by the country’s top officials, including Elvis Lila, whom Prime Minister Rama placed in command of SHISH immediately after the dismissal of Vlora Hyseni.

Footage released by the presidency also shows Lila — his first public appearance.

But who is Elvis Lila?

SHISH sources told Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu that Lila is a career officer with 20 years at SHISH. He worked as a management officer in one of SHISH’s departments.

When the intelligence service was headed by Helidon Bendo, Lila was entrusted with the newly created directorate known as the Performance Directorate. He later headed counterintelligence.

When Vlora Hyseni took over three years ago, she appointed Lila as director of the department for operational matters.

The same intelligence sources say Lila was one of Hyseni’s closest associates on counterintelligence matters.

Kiço Sterjo, appointed by her as chief of staff, has handled the managerial side of human resources at SHISH.