Investigation Reveals Growing Influence of Albanian Mafia in Belgium
According to a recent investigation by the Knack local media institute, reported by Belga, the influence of Albanian organized crime is expanding within Belgium. The investigation focused on the number of Albanian nationals convicted in Belgian courts between 2020 and 2026, revealing a significant presence within the justice system. Data indicates that over 2,000 Albanian nationals are currently under the custody of the federal judicial police.
Experts attribute this rise to a transformation in the activities of Albanian criminal groups. François Farsy, director of justice in Liege, noted a substantial increase in this phenomenon over the past 25 years. Initially, Albanian groups were primarily involved in petty crime and small-scale drug trafficking.
However, recent activity has escalated to large-scale drug trafficking operations and money laundering. Frederic Van Leeuw, president of the Association of Prosecutors, highlighted a trend of increasing specialization among Albanian criminal organizations. The investigation underscores a developing concern regarding the growing presence of the Albanian mafia within Belgium’s criminal landscape.
Further investigation is ongoing to fully understand the scope of their operations.
Topics: #albanian #mafia #belgium
