International Workshop on Criminal Investigations, Xhaja: AAPSK, progress in the good management of criminal assets
November 18, 2025
The Sequestered and Confiscated Assets Administration Agency (SCAA) participates in the three-day workshop “Tax Inspectors without Borders – Criminal Investigations Program”, organized in Tirana by UNDP, OECD and the Swiss government (SECO), with the participation of key law enforcement institutions of the country and international partners. This activity, which takes place from 17 to 19 […]
The Sequestered and Confiscated Assets Administration Agency (SCAA) participates in the three-day workshop “Tax Inspectors without Borders – Criminal Investigations Program”, organized in Tirana by UNDP, OECD and the Swiss government (SECO), with the participation of key law enforcement institutions of the country and international partners.
This activity, which takes place from 17 to 19 November 2025, aims to strengthen the capacities of Albanian institutions in the fight against financial crimes, tax evasion and money laundering, as well as to increase inter-institutional cooperation for the effective administration of seized and confiscated assets.
During the session dedicated to the presentation of institutional mandates, the Chief Administrator of SCAA, Ms. Risena Xhaja, presented the functions, challenges and results of the Agency in the administration of assets originating from illegal activities.
Ms. Xhaja emphasized that the AAPSK is an important link in the chain of justice, ensuring the preservation, management, evaluation and return to the economy of seized or confiscated assets, as a key instrument for combating organized crime and the illegal economy.
She presented a clear overview of the categories of assets that the Agency administers, as well as the considerable volume of assets under administration, which range from real estate and means of transport, to bank accounts, businesses, valuables and other materials.
During her speech, the Chief Administrator pointed out several challenges that require joint inter-institutional addressing, related to the evaluation and maintenance of assets, the legal and procedural complexity in their administration, the financial and operational challenges related to maintenance costs, liquidation processes, digitalization and human resources, as well as the need for more transparency.
She emphasized that addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach and increased inter-institutional cooperation.
Ms. Xhaja also shared some of the results achieved in her first year at the helm of the AAPSK, which relate to improving the administration of many categories of assets through more transparent procedures; increasing cooperation with law enforcement institutions and international partners; preparing new public reporting models and better asset management standards; as well as expanding projects for the social use of assets, in the function of the public interest.
At the end of her speech, the Chief Administrator underlined the Agency’s vision to turn confiscated assets into “benefits for society”, emphasizing that their fair and transparent administration is a concrete form of social justice.
During the three days of the workshop, representatives of the AAPSK, the General Directorate of Taxes, the State Police, SPAK, the Prosecutor’s Office, the AIF, Customs, as well as international partners (OECD, UNDP, SECO, Guardia di Finanza, EU4LEA) will address institutional maturity models, inter-institutional cooperation, the development of strategies against financial crime and the improvement of investigation and asset seizure mechanisms.
At the end of the workshop, assessments and recommendations for strengthening national capacities will also be presented, which will serve as the basis for Phase II of the TIWB–CI program.