World Briefing Europe

Albania: Whistle-Blower Found Dead

By C. J. CHIVERS

Published: September 12, 2008
A whistle-blower who uncovered evidence of public corruption and deceptive practices by a contractor in a Pentagon-sponsored arms deal was found dead on a mountain road on Friday.

Last year, the whistle-blower, Kosta Trebicka, 48, provided The New York Times and American investigators with evidence that AEY Inc., an American company, had bought aging Chinese cartridges for Afghanistan’s army and police forces, repackaged them in unmarked boxes that obscured their origin and claimed the ammunition was from Albania.

His accusations shook the Albanian government and the Pentagon. Mr. Trebicka had told reporters for The Times several times that he feared for his safety. He was found dead near his vehicle, and no cause of death was announced. Albanian investigators said an autopsy would be performed.

More Articles in World » A version of this article appeared in print on September 13, 2008, on page A9 of the New York edition