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A conference between the State Police and the Spanish Police was held at the General Directorate of State Police.
The focus of the conference was the implementation of the obligations provided for in the extradition agreement, in terms of identifying and apprehending wanted persons by the Spanish law enforcement authorities.
The General Director of the State Police praised the current relations between the State Police and the Spanish Police, as well as the commitment of the Albanian Police, to catch the persons declared wanted by Spain.
Following is the full speech of the Director General of the State Police, the speech of the Attaché of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior and the Director of FAST Spain.
“We are here today, together with the partners of the Police of the Kingdom of Spain, to inform the citizens of our two countries, those of the EU and beyond, that the cooperation between the police and law enforcement agencies continues to deepen and is going to the right direction, where everyone wants to see the defenders of the law and the safety of their lives and property.
For any leader, at any state level, the preservation and strengthening of friendships inherited from the common past of peoples, seeing not only in the historical background, but also in the current one, remains one of the most important pillars of their transformation. in lasting alliances for the benefit and in the interest of the security of the societies we represent.
In its priority policies, Albania is committed with all its human, logistical and legal capacities and is working to increase the security parameters in the country, a contribution which takes place and is also reflected in the security of EU countries. Wider.
The increase of the role and operational size of the State Police and law enforcement agencies in the country was observed in the operations led and coordinated by partners or international counterpart structures, continues to show the determination and professionalism of these structures and the seriousness of Albania, to work and coordinate closely with all law enforcement actors, both at home and abroad.
The signing of the extradition agreement between the Republic of Albania and the Kingdom of Spain, which entered into force on March 16, 2022, also serves this purpose.
It is worth mentioning the fact that the State Police has done a preliminary work to identify and verify all persons wanted by the Spanish authorities and with the entry into force of the agreement, in close coordination with the Spanish law enforcement authorities, especially with the structures of INTERPOL and FAST of both countries, the operation has started and so far 7 Albanian citizens have been arrested for the criminal offenses: “Narcotics trafficking”, “Criminal organization”, “Forgery of documents” and “Violation of the law” for drugs ”. These citizens continue to be in court proceedings, with the aim of extraditing them to Spain.
In the framework of this cooperation, during 2021, successful operations were carried out: “DOBRA”, “NOMADA” and “SPIRIT”. Also successful were the previous operations such as: operation “CONTINUED” and Mega Operation “ONE IF-BY LAND”, the results of which we have made known in previous communications. These operations and investigations have been focused against criminal groups producing and trafficking narcotics, smuggling migrants, money laundering, burglary, etc. As part of these operations, significant quantities of plants and narcotics, firearms, cash and vehicles were seized. Movable and immovable property were also seized in Albania, as well as commercial activities were blocked. We also had a very good cooperation with the Spanish immigration authorities. This is also reflected in the continuous cooperation for the return of Albanian citizens, who are, with irregular residence, in the Spanish territory. The Spanish authorities and the Albanian State Police carry out joint repatriation flights, coordinated by FRONTEX.
The Spanish authorities are also engaged in providing technical assistance to the State Police through the organization of trainings and seminars, as well as the coordination and implementation of various projects. Cooperation with partners, signing and implementation of mutual obligations provided by such agreements, affect the prevention of crime and constitute a necessary act to increase the field of action, making Albania never turn into an coveted oasis for citizens who are in conflict with the law and principles of a free society.
Also, these extradition agreements make it possible and are a contributing factor in bringing to justice, regardless of where the phenomena are concentrated that need to be cracked down on and neutralized through police operations. The intertwined police actions that will follow and will have as objective the capture of every citizen wanted by the Spanish justice and from those countries with which Albania has extradition agreements, have already become one of the main priorities of the work of the Albanian Police.
In this consolidated history of the relations built between the State Police and its law enforcement partners, we can say that they are already essential and primary, both reactively and proactively, and in this context it is necessary to strengthen these partnerships, with a focus on creating a favorable and sustainable climate of cooperation, with optimal results and expectations for issues of common interest, for the benefit of citizens, who at the epicenter of their activity have the observance of the law and in the other plan, a punitive reality and much more unfavorable for offenders.
Given these developments, I have the responsibility to declare that the State Police is determined to cooperate and increase the spirit of partnership with the police of European Union countries and beyond, as well as with law enforcement agencies, in areas related to law enforcement. And this to ensure the strongest possible international cooperation for security and together to become a colorful army against crime and terrorism, wherever they operate. Let me close with a quote from the great but world-famous Spanish writer Miguel Cervantes, who says: “Good deeds ennoble us, and we are the sons of our deeds!” There are many reasons that push me towards this great personality of the word and world thought, which best connects our two cultures, the Albanian and the Spanish. Thank you!“, Said Nano.
Juan Pablo Iglesias Bellido: Dear General Director, dear colleagues. Today is a very important day for the relations between Spain and Albania. With the entry into force of the extradition agreement that allows the mutual extradition of citizens, complementary to the European Extradition Agreement of 1957, Albania and Spain take a major step forward in the joint fight against organized crime.
Albania shows its absolute determination not to be a haven for criminals, which is considered by the international community as an indisputable sign of its continuous effort to advance in the process of membership in the European Union and the rule of law. With this operation to track down the fugitives wanted by the Spanish judicial authorities, the Albanian State Police and the National Police strengthen their already current channels of police cooperation and the strategy of mutual cooperation, which should undoubtedly be considered as a sign of unity between our two nations. From the Ministry of Interior of Spain we want to thank and express our gratitude to our Albanian colleagues and friends, for the continuous cooperation and good predisposition. We are confident that this cooperation will grow further in the near future.
Dario Varela Fernandez: Honorable General Director, honorable colleagues. A few days after the signing of the mentioned Agreement with Albania, the Fugitive Section of the Spanish National Police has started an intensive exchange of operational information with the Albanian authorities, in order to find the fugitives allegedly from Spain, with a possible location in Albania. The investigations were carried out with the valuable support of the Office of the Internal Attaché and were channeled through the European Network of Fugitives (ENFAST Network), of which Albania is a member and whose Presidency is held by Spain, until the end of 2023. Once the cooperation started, in just 48 hours, the team of Albanian Fugitives has arrested a total of 7 people in Albania wanted by Spain for serious crimes as belonging to a criminal organization, international drug trafficking within criminal organizations or home attacks. Some of these people were sheltered with false identities in Albania. From the National Police we want to thank the work of the Albanian authorities and emphasize that the above actions are only the beginning of joint work in the future between our countries against organized crime and against those who try to evade justice.
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