Investigative journalist Artan Hoxha has shared new details regarding images that recently surfaced showing a luxury prison cell inside the high-security prison of Peqin.
Speaking on Euronews Albania with journalist Thimi Samarxhiu, Hoxha claimed that the cell belongs to a prominent figure in Albania’s criminal underworld, allegedly involved in narcotics trafficking and gambling operations, and who was reportedly a former associate of the missing gambling kingpin Ervis Martinaj.
Hoxha described the prison cell as resembling a “seven-star hotel” and even compared it to the luxurious buildings of Dubai. He questioned how extensive renovation work and expensive furnishings could have been brought into a high-security prison without the knowledge or assistance of prison staff.
“This is the cell of a very important figure in Albanian organized crime, involved in drug trafficking and gambling. His name comes up in connection with the Ervis Martinaj case. If I’m not mistaken, he was Martinaj’s business partner at one point,” Hoxha said.
He went on to criticize the situation, arguing that such modifications should never be allowed inside a prison facility.
“How did all those materials get inside? A drywall worker entered, a mason entered, a carpenter entered, an interior designer entered. I honestly don’t think we even have hotels in Albania with that level of interior investment,” he added.
According to Hoxha, special prison police units and prison authorities conducted inspections and found serious violations of prison security regulations. He stated that standard prison cells contain security elements that cannot legally be altered or modified.
“In this particular case, not only were changes made, but if it weren’t for the bars and the metal frame, the place would look like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai,” Hoxha said.
The allegations have sparked debate over prison conditions, security standards, and the influence that powerful criminal figures may continue to exercise while serving prison sentences.
