Organised Albanian crime destabilizing Greece
Katerina
A new report links rising Albanian nationalism with
organized Albanian crime in Greece. The report states that organized
crime controlled by the Albanian mafia is a destabilizing force in
Greece.
Defence Net
reported that analysis conducted by Strategy, based on data from the
Greek security services and the Greek police into Albanian organized
crime in the Hellenic Republic, draws links between the organized crime
and Albanian nationalism.
The statistics make grim reading. According to the figures cited by
Defence Net the Albanian mafia controls about 80 percent of the retail
distribution of heroin in Greece; about 50 percent of armed robberies in
houses, shops-businesses were committed by Albanians; controls 90
percent of the import of illegal light weapons in the country
(Kalashnikov, Makarov, grenades); and controls 50 percent of human
trafficking.
Albanian organized crime accounts for several billions of euros in black
funds, though notably the mafia heads do not operate in Greece, instead
using trustees. The report states the mafia "have the ability to
mobilize hundreds of rugged Albanians in Greece for any reason that will
make a profit or if 'forced' because of international pressure." Most
significantly the report draws links between rising Albanian nationalism
that focuses on a "Greater Albania" and organized crime.
RIEAS
reports that a confidential police report reveals 42 Albanian criminal
organizations operate in Greece. It states "3,000 Albanian criminals are
active in the transportation and distribution of cannabis and heroin,
while 2,500 Albanians are arrested each year in Greece for robberies,
thefts and burglaries." Sources from the Citizen’s Protection Ministry
"estimate that 3,000 Albanians who live in Greece (many legally) own
AK-47 rifles and unknown quantities of ammunition."
Serbianna
published a report in Sept. 2012 stating that Greek security services
are taking a special interest in Albanian extremist groups in Greece,
Albania, Kosovo and FYROM, considering them to a threat to social
stability. The report stated that incidents involving Albanian smugglers
and narcotics showed the ulterior motive of the crimes was to raise
capital for extremist nationalist purposes.
UCC collaborators have been identified amongst Greece's Albanian immigrants. UCC
is a known terrorist group, with an abundance of smuggled weapons,
which has connections to the government in Kosovo, and harbors Albanian
nationalistic plans for a Greater Albania.
The combination of reports shows an increasing trend of funds acquired
through organized Albanian crime in Greece financing extremist Albanian
groups throughout the Balkans.
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