The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime has issued an interim decision to hold the trial regarding the hacking of SPAK prosecutors' emails behind closed doors. This marks the first time the court has excluded the media from a criminal trial during the merits phase.
The decision followed a request by prosecutor Bledar Maksuti, who argued that public transparency would jeopardize the integrity of the investigation. Because the case involves a split file, officials maintain that sensitive information currently under scrutiny must remain confidential.
The Defendants and Allegations
The trial involves three defendants accused of operating as a structured criminal group, illegal wiretapping, and unauthorized computer access:
- Agim Ismaili, former General Director of Prisons.
- Zambak Gjoni, a former prison administration official.
- Arnold Rrokaj, a former employee of the Territorial Inspectorate (IMT).
According to the indictment, Rrokaj allegedly gained unauthorized access to SPAK investigative materials. These documents were reportedly funneled to Gjoni and Ismaili, who then disseminated the sensitive data to third parties.
Background of the Breach
The cyberattack occurred on March 12, 2025. While hackers successfully compromised the email accounts of three special prosecutors—Behar Dibra, Enkeleida Millonai, and Elida Kaçkini—authorities confirmed that the perpetrators failed to penetrate SPAK’s internal IT infrastructure.
