{"id":573532,"date":"2025-07-12T15:19:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-12T14:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ais.al\/new\/?p=573532"},"modified":"2025-07-12T15:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-07-12T14:19:59","slug":"the-influence-of-organized-crime-on-electoral-processes-and-fact-based-yournalism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ais.al\/new\/en\/the-influence-of-organized-crime-on-electoral-processes-and-fact-based-yournalism\/","title":{"rendered":"THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIZED CRIME ON ELECTORAL PROCESSES AND FACT-BASED YOURNALISM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Between 2023 and 2025, the Special Prosecution Office Against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) has taken significant action against several structured criminal groups suspected of involvement in electoral crimes during the 2021 elections, particularly in the districts of Shkod\u00ebr, Durr\u00ebs, Elbasan, and Lezha.<\/p>\n

Investigative media reports have revealed that some of these criminal groups, primarily involved in drug trafficking, were actively engaged in vote buying during the 2021 elections campaign. In exchange for delivering votes, they received economic benefits, favors, or the ability to place loyal individuals in key positions of influence.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the 2025 elections, many of the leaders of these groups have been arrested, declared fugitives, prosecuted, or have fled the country (as of 2024). However, their economic and social influence at the local level remains significant<\/strong>, and media sources indicate that these networks are once again mobilizing to secure votes<\/strong> either through vote buying or by exerting physical pressure and intimidation on voters[i]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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In Elbasan reports indicate that group members have been settling outstanding debts at grocery stores frequented by unemployed families who receive food on credit. They are also reportedly sponsoring electoral events and engaging in acts of coercion or violence against voters.<\/p>\n

In Durr\u00ebs, there is concern that rival criminal groups may not only participate in the elections at the request of political actors (parties or candidates) but may also take action to undermine each other\u2019s influence<\/strong> by \u201cinvesting\u201d in politically powerful entities as a means of gaining territorial or economic control.<\/p>\n

Shkod\u00ebr and Fier districts are similarly classified as a high-risk electoral zone<\/strong>, due to the active political ambitions of the party led by Mr. Tom Doshi.<\/p>\n

Criminal Influence Map for the May 11 Elections:<\/strong><\/p>\n