"Spiegel": Albania as Eddie Rama's private narco-state

"For eleven years, Albania has been led and represented by Edi Rama (60), a bush of a man with modest manners who welcomes state guests in sneakers, and journalists barefoot. Late descendant of the socialist bourgeoisie, higher education, former basketball national team player, recognized visual artist," writes reporter Walter Mayer for the weekly "Spiegel", and reported by Deutsche Welle (DW).

EDI RAMA AND ALEKSANDAR VUCIC

For many in the West, Rama is the cosmopolitan face of Albania, writes "Spiegel". He is often a "star" at various events to which he is invited by politicians in power in EU countries, including Germany.

"Even US Secretary of State Antony Blinken came to Tirana in February and spoke highly of 'Eddie', primarily of his judicial reform: 'Corrupt politicians are now accountable for their actions.' Members of organized crime go to jail and lose their assets. It's a big change.'"

Rama: "There are pigs in every forest"

However, in the latest annual report (for 2023) of the State Department headed by Blinken, it says otherwise: "Corruption exists in all sectors and at all levels of government."

How is it possible, an Italian journalist asked Rama in June, that many of his closest circle, including ministers, were arrested for corruption, and only he remains in office? The cold answer of the Albanian Prime Minister was: "There are pigs in every forest."

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According to "Spiegel", several investigators confirmed to them that "at the highest level of government there are contacts with organized crime". "It started with cannabis, but the business developed into the trade of tons of cocaine, the Albanians connected with the Calabrian 'Ndrangeta and Latin American cartels," the text reads.

A country where it was dangerous to listen to the Beatles

Faced with the accusations of "Spiegel", the prime minister of Albania "calls the journalist late at night and tries to influence the reporting: he considers the accusations unfounded, insulting and unjustifiably damaging to the reputation of his country".

Albania, says Rama, was an isolated dictatorship, "the North Korea of ​​Europe, where in the late eighties it was dangerous to listen to the Beatles." That is why I claim that, in absolute terms, we have achieved more in these 30 years than any other European country."

Statistics say otherwise, writes "Spiegel", stating that due to mass emigration, Albania's population has fallen to 2,8 million, and that almost a third of young people are unemployed.

The more popular Rama is abroad, the more anger grows in the country, which is reflected in the street demonstrations and in his immediate vicinity, further writes "Spiegel".

Those in his inner circle, who know a lot and would risk a lot, speak only on condition of anonymity - like this former member of the government who says:

"Combining political and media interests with the interests of criminals and oligarchs, that's how Eddie Rama's system works." All this is happening with the blessing of the EU and the USA. There is no public procurement that does not end up in his wider circle. Basically, Rama got the whole country involved in crime. Albania is an example of corruption, and yet Rama's cunning led to recognition in the West."

The long-time "treasurer" took refuge in Switzerland 

The "Spiegel" journalist also found those who were ready to speak without hiding their identity, but they are no longer in Albania. Like Arben Ahmetaj, who in Tirana is considered the "treasurer" and a key figure in Rama's system of government.

"Spiegel" spoke with Ahmetaj in Lugano, Switzerland, where he is now hoping for political asylum.

"I am not ready to be the prime minister's scapegoat." He took advantage of the reform of the judiciary, which was financed by the USA and the EU, now he is using the judiciary against his political opponents and all those who oppose his desire for power," says Ahmetaj, who was the deputy prime minister before Rama removed him.

He confirms the findings of investigators, according to which Albania during Rama's reign became a drug state:

"Flooding the country with cannabis from 2014 to 2017 was the prime minister's hidden economic agenda," this man claimed.

The rise of organized crime, which was fueled by this, greatly changed the Albanian economy and society: "Rama believes that he still controls the criminal environment, but in fact it has been controlling him for a long time," says Ahmetaj.

The former deputy prime minister adds: "I have no idea why Europeans do not want to see what is happening in Albania." They have excellent intelligence services, who know exactly what is going on, especially in relation to money laundering and organized crime."

Trump's people

And the Italian prosecutor Francesco Mandoi, who was temporarily hired by Rama as commissioner for the fight against corruption, makes a devastating conclusion for "Spiegel": "The drug lords have their people everywhere, in the administration, in the institutions. Now they are able to subdue the government."

The money of the Albanian drug mafia is reflected, among other things, in the form of skyscrapers that have changed the once gloomy appearance of Tirana. The construction boom continues on the Adriatic coast.

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With Eddie Rama's blessing, Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former US special envoy for the Balkans, Richard Grenell, are planning large investments in that region.

Rama, Grenell and Trump have known each other since the time when, under the supervision of the then high representative of the EU, Federica Mogherini, they "planned to change the borders between Kosovo and Serbia", writes "Spiegel".

For the EU, Rama is far more pleasant than Vučić

"The Rama phenomenon must be seen in a broader context - from the perspective of the EU, it is an attempt to stabilize the Western Balkans." Unlike Aleksandar Vučić, Rama is not considered anti-European, but rather more pleasant. That's why they decided to turn a blind eye to one, if not both eyes," says Frauke Zebas from the Brussels office of the Foundation for Science and Policy.

Is Rama getting rich at the expense of others? "From Brussels' perspective, it's not that important," says Zebas. "Albania joining the EU is not on the agenda any time soon."

Rama has been the prime minister since 2013. He is hoping for a fourth term next year, with good prospects for success.

"In his hands are 90 percent of municipalities, almost like in Russia." Until someone stands up and says 'I personally gave money to Eddie Rama' - nothing will happen to him. Because there is a mafia law of silence - omerta," says investigative journalist Claudia Lala for "Spiegel".

Source: Deutsche Welle (DW)