Journalist: Searches at Rony Yeffet’s home and KAYO offices. Ardi Veliu’s mobile phone was not seized

Journalist Eni Ferhati, on the programme “Review”, gave details of the investigation launched by SPAK into the defence industry sector and the claims raised earlier by former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj.

He said that during Friday searches were carried out at several premises in Tirana, including businessman Rony Yeffet’s home and the premises of the state company KAYO, while documents related to tendering procedures were seized. SPAK has not yet given an official position on the investigation.

“Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, supported also by police forces, implementing a decision of the Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime, have carried out a series of search decisions exercised mainly in the capital. I can confirm to you up to this moment that a search was carried out precisely at the home of businessman Rony Yeffet, in the village of Pëllumbas, on the outskirts of Tirana, in a home that he used, where searches were conducted. Alongside the search of the home, there was also a decision for a personal search of the businessman, during which documents were seized. It was also deemed necessary to call an interpreter during the procedural and investigative action to find evidence,” Ferhati said.

He added that during the search a firearm was also found, which turned out to be licensed. “A firearm was also seized, but a licensed one, according to the information, belonging to businessman Rony Yeffet, who apparently is among the persons for whom SPAK has created reasonable suspicions. Searches were also carried out at the KAYO company, mainly to seize documentation related to the procedures followed, mainly as regards tenders and the companies connected with KAYO in the business affairs of this defence industry, such as TIMAK, TIMAK Defense and others,” he said.

The journalist also clarified that, according to his verifications, the mobile phone of KAYO director Ardi Veliu was not seized.

“The mobile phone of the director of the state enterprise or company KAYO, Mr. Ardi Veliu, was not seized. I communicated a few minutes ago with Mr. Veliu. I specifically asked to get his version regarding the news I had seen, because SPAK has been hermetic and officially today we have received no answer regarding this operation or investigation from the Special Prosecution.

His mobile phone was not seized, not only because I communicated by phone on the number he has had for years, since the time when he was head of the State Police, but on the other hand Mr. Veliu, in a way, also excluded himself from this whole story,” Ferhati said.

Journalist Eni Ferhati said the investigation is suspected to have started on the basis of materials and claims made public by former deputy prime minister Arben Ahmetaj. “The Special Prosecution has launched investigations mainly on the basis of a report from Arben Ahmetaj’s circle. But it remains to be seen how developments will unfold. Most likely there will be persons who will be summoned and questioned at the Special Prosecution, whether as persons with knowledge, or perhaps their procedural position may also change, they may be persons under investigation,” journalist Ferhati said.