Vlora Hyseni, who until yesterday headed Albania's intelligence service, was romantically involved with a suspected criminal wanted by police, and the two stayed in close contact until his arrest, according to prosecutors.
The details are contained in a prosecution filing submitted at her detention hearing. Several pages of the filing were leaked to the media, and Exit.al has independently corroborated the information they contain.
Hyseni, who was dismissed yesterday and has been placed under house arrest, exchanged more than 500 calls, text messages, photos and videos with alleged criminal Ergys Agasi between late June and his arrest in late August, prosecutors said.
Most of the contact was initiated by Hyseni, according to prosecutors, although Agasi left dozens of her calls unanswered during that period.
In messages cited in the filing, Hyseni appeared to treat Agasi's legal troubles as her own. She allegedly told him those behind the case had "hurt" them both and would "have to pay". She also spoke of needing to resolve his "situation", the filing says.
Prosecutors said Hyseni kept Agasi informed about her official meetings, including meetings with the prime minister and senior police officials. Documents resembling intelligence service diagrams were also found in one of his cars, they said.
When questioned three days before she was placed under house arrest, Hyseni acknowledged the contacts but said they began after Agasi offered to cooperate with the authorities. Prosecutors rejected her account, concluding that Agasi had been receiving information from her, not providing it.
Investigators said the pattern of contact suggested Hyseni had used her position and her access to the intelligence service to help Agasi while he was a fugitive.
Agasi, 39, was arrested in late August after 10 months on the run. He is accused of being part of a criminal group involved in extortion, kidnapping and money laundering.
Before the charges against him, Agasi had been widely described in the media as close to Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Rama has denied any links to Agasi.
Yesterday he praised Hyseni's work at the head of the intelligence service but sought to distance himself from her, saying her legal troubles were a personal matter and did not concern the government.
Shpërndaje te miqtë
