The Russian oligarch, with whom Edi Rama's FBI friend Charles McGonigal had close ties, has been sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury for ties and services to Russian President Vladimir Putin. But while the USA sanctioned the Oleg Deripaska, in Albania Prime Minister Edi Rama declared him a strategic investor, after having granted him earlier concessions, such as the Shushica HPP.

Syri TV

Alleged relations with the Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska were the main reason for the arrest in the United States of the former FBI Special Agent Charles McGonigal – also known for his ties with Albanian PM Edi Rama – and of a former diplomat.

As the Russian oligarch Deripaska was sanctioned by the US Department of Justice in April 2018 for his ties to the Russian government and the Russian energy sector, while Russia constantly threatened Ukraine, Edi Rama declared him a strategic investor in Albania.

In April 2018, the Strategic Investments Committee, chaired by Edi Rama, granted the status of a “strategic investor” to the Albanian company “Agro Iliria Group” for the establishment of an exotic fruit plantation on an area of 800 hectares in the Lagoon of Karavastá. The investment is expected to be over €6.6 million.

According to the decision signed by Rama, the Albanian company “Agro Iliria Group” is obliged to sign a contract with another company, “Trema Engineering 2”, with the later chosen to carry out the investment.

The ultimate owner of the Albanian company "Trema Engineering 2" is the Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska via the Austria-registered company “Strabag AG”.

The Moscow oligarch is also a co-owner in a concession granted by Rama’s government in 2017 for the construction and operation of the Shushica hydropower plant.

Referring to the Albanian National Business Center records, Oleg Vladimirovich Deripaska is the beneficial owner of the concession via two companies controlled by him, “Strabag AG” and “Trema Engineering 2”.

The Shushica Hydropower concession duration is expected to last for 35 years. The contract was signed by then-Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Damian Gjiknuri.