In a statement published on Facebook, he expressed concern over what he described as the non-enforcement of Supreme Court decisions, as well as the interruption of works through private guards and heavy machinery. Pacolli raised the question of how a private company can block access to a national strategic asset without facing legal consequences.

According to him, the situation has now gone beyond a business dispute and constitutes a test of the very functioning of the rule of law in Albania. He called on the responsible institutions to react, stressing that laws and court decisions must be enforced by the state, not challenged by private groups.

Facebook statement:

Criminal groups have once again blocked access to Vlora Airport, where Mabco has invested more than 310 million euros!

Is it a CRIME to block a lawful activity with private guards, heavy machinery and vigilante justice?

If so, why is no one acting?

If anyone in this country can hire a few private guards, block entrances and exits, obstruct the enforcement of court decisions and impose their will by force, then are we living in the Republic of Albania or in the Republic of Private Guards?

What role do private guards have in this country?

How is it possible for a private company to decide who enters and who does not enter a construction site, regardless of the decisions of the Assembly of Shareholders, regardless of Supreme Court decisions and regardless of requests from state institutions?

How is it possible for a private security company to physically block entry to a national strategic asset and for no one to be held accountable?

If every company in Albania can hire a few private guards, place trucks at the entrance and declare itself above the law, then:

• What do we need the courts for?

• What do we need the institutions for?

• What do we need the state for?

Today we are no longer discussing a business conflict.

Today we are discussing the existence of the rule of law. Today the authority of the state has been called into question. Today the fundamental question is being raised: are Supreme Court decisions enforced in the Republic of Albania or not?

Because if a final court ruling can be blocked by a group of people with trucks and private guards, then the problem is no longer Vlora Airport.

The problem is the rule of law itself.

For months, Mabco has been facing continuous and unacceptable obstacles. For weeks, we have been seeing vandalism, blockades, property damage and obstruction of the works.

Today we are witnessing open non-enforcement of the law before everyone’s eyes, as well as the deprivation of the right to act and move freely.

Where are the institutions that are supposed to provide answers to citizens?

This is no longer an issue concerning only Mabco or 2A.

This is an issue that affects every citizen.

Who enforces the laws in this country?

The law on commercial companies?

The decisions of the Supreme Court?

Or private guards?

The post Pacolli raises the alarm over Vlora Airport: More than 310 million euros in investment blocked appeared first on Albeu.com.

Behgjet Pacolli himself reacted to the situation, stating that after long months of illegal obstruction and the occupation of the Vlora Terminal by criminal groups, MABCO and its subcontractors have today managed to return to their workplaces.

According to Pacolli, verification and documentation of the damage allegedly caused by vandalism, theft and destruction during this period is currently underway.

He says that for more than ten months, these criminal groups acted in open violation of the law, using unacceptable and inhumane methods, which according to him harmed not only private property, but also the legal order and the security of investments. Pacolli adds that even more troubling is the suspicion that this activity was supported or tolerated by individuals hiding behind institutional cover, while in certain cases, according to him, there were also attempts to influence court proceedings, in open defiance of Albania’s justice system.

His full statement:

Dear citizens,

Dear people of Vlora,

You, honorable citizens, have the right to be informed of the truth. Unfortunately, you have still not been made aware of the real situation at Vlora Airport. For this reason, I urgently call on SPAK to immediately launch a full investigation into this grave scandal, created and fueled by individuals who have acted and continue to act in violation of the law, seriously undermining the rule of law and the legal system of the Republic of Albania. The time to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice is now.

After months of illegal blockade and the occupation of the Vlora Terminal by criminal groups, today MABCO and our subcontractors have been able to return to their workplaces. At this moment, the verification and recording of the damage caused by vandalism, theft and destruction that occurred during this period is being carried out.

The identified damage includes both the valuable inventory designed, ordered, produced and installed specifically for the airport’s operation, as well as the instruments, equipment and work tools that are the private property of the subcontracting companies.

For more than ten months, these criminal groups have acted in flagrant violation of the law, using unacceptable and inhumane methods, harming not only private property but also the legal order and the security of investments. Even more troubling is the fact that their activity is suspected of having been supported or tolerated by individuals hiding behind institutional cover, while in certain cases they have also attempted to influence court proceedings, openly challenging the justice system in Albania.

Today, in the name of the law, justice and the trust that Albanian citizens and international partners must have in state institutions, I publicly call on SPAK to immediately launch a full, independent and comprehensive investigation into all criminal events that occurred during this period, without any distinction and without protection for anyone, regardless of their position, influence or connections.

It is essential that the entire chain of people involved in these serious acts be identified and held accountable, as these actions have harmed the public interest, legal certainty and Albania’s image as a country that guarantees the rule of law and the protection of investments.

It is equally important that the competent institutions take immediate measures to prevent any possible escalation of the situation and to guarantee the safety of employees, contracting companies and every citizen who believes in work, the law and the values of a civilized society.

We will continue to firmly defend our legal rights, our property and the dignity of working people, believing that truth and justice will prevail.

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