Fast-Track Trial for 12 Accused in “Flames at Sea” Case

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime has accepted the request of the 12 defendants arrested during the "Flame at Sea" operation, that the trial against them be conducted in a shortened procedure.

According to the court's decision, the final hearing will take place on April 23, where the Special Prosecution Office will read the conclusions and request the sentence for each defendant.

The operation was finalized by SPAK and the police in August 2023, after investigations that revealed drug trafficking via dinghies in the open sea near the Patoku area, where it is suspected that a drug exchange between hashish and cocaine took place.

The arrested are: Arlind Ismailukaj, Gezim Ccelaj, Nerim Çella, Armando Mema, Dritan Metaj, Besnik Brokeri, Alket Deda, Selami Lushkaj, Ksenofon Bodo, Armando Papa, as well as two Ukrainian citizens Kyrylo Ponomarenko and Kostiantyn Biellon.

SPAK continues investigations to document the complete network involved in this international drug trafficking.