Vlora Airport ownership dispute escalates between Behgjet Pacolli and Valon Ademi

A legal and ownership dispute regarding the Vlora Airport project has intensified between businessman Behgjet Pacolli and shareholder Valon Ademi. The conflict follows recent decisions by the National Business Center (QKB) regarding the registration of shares in the airport project.

Valon Ademi has called for investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) and the Tirana Prosecutor's Office. Ademi claims his company, 2A Group, maintains a 49% stake based on a notarized contract, arguing that changes in the QKB registry do not equate to the cancellation of a sales contract. He further alleged that interests linked to Timur Kulibajev, son-in-law of former Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, are connected to the interests behind Pacolli in this project.

Behgjet Pacolli has responded by accusing Ademi and Valon Lluka of fraud, defamation, and attempting to obstruct the project. Pacolli stated that he has faced threats and attempts to distort the truth for over a year. He characterized an attempt to transfer MABCO company shares in April 2025 as fraudulent and noted that previous rulings from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court supported his position. Pacolli also claimed that recent illegal interventions in the QKB registry were corrected immediately following his reports.