Ahmetaj Unveils 'Smart City' Scandal: Albanians Pay Over €15,000 for a Body Camera, €50,000 for Traffic Camera

In an exclusive interview on Çim Peka LIVE on SYRI TV, Arben Ahmetaj leveled serious accusations against Prime Minister Edi Rama, whom he described as the head of a criminal organization.

Beyond the controversial Durrës port affair, Ahmetaj also denounced the "Smart City" project, which foresees the installation of thousands of security cameras across the country. According to the information disclosed, the project's cost, initially set at $60 million, was inflated to $140 million, financed through a loan from Abu Dhabi and awarded without a tender to a specific company.

The figures are alarming: a body camera for police officers, integrated into the central system, costs $15,723, while a traffic-monitoring camera reaches $52,000. These prices are considered six to seven times higher than actual market value.

Beyond financial abuse, Ahmetaj raised grave concerns about national security. The contract grants a company from a non-NATO country access to critical infrastructure and sensitive citizens' data. He warned of the risk posed by the use of "hostile technology," placing national security in uncertified hands outside NATO standards.

Excerpts from the interview

Arben Ahmetaj: Do you remember when I told you, what was Gys Agasi doing in Abu Dhabi and Davos with the prime minister?

It would be very easy for SPAK, if it wanted to, though it clearly does not. All it needs to do is obtain mobile phone location data and see that Rama has spent more time with Gys Agasi than with any minister, except the looter. He spent more time with Gys Agasi. Now I will tell Albanians about Smart City. There is a recorded discussion, SPAK most likely has it, unless it has erased it, between a former interior minister and Gys Agasi regarding the Smart City project here. They have it.

Çim Peka: That they were together in Abu Dhabi.

Arben Ahmetaj: It doesn't matter that they were together in Abu Dhabi, what matters is the companies and the selection of companies. It is said that during a visit by a former interior minister, a specific company was chosen. There are many details here. First, I want to state that the amount pushed by the head of the organization started at $60 million and was raised to $140 million. And I want to tell Albanians,

Çim Peka: $140 what?

Arben Ahmetaj: $140 million, a loan from Abu Dhabi, given to an Abu Dhabi company without a tender. These are his pet projects, which he keeps close to himself and directs wherever he wants; of course, he awards them without a tender.

In the case of Smart City, which isn't Smart City at all; the term is used loosely, it is actually "Safe City." And this Safe City has failed him several times. In this specific case, first and foremost, there is a civic concern that citizens themselves should consider.

How can our data, retina scans, license plates, be held by a company in a country outside NATO?

If I were cynical, I would say I have nothing against Gulf countries; I respect them for their work. But critical infrastructure, such as data, should be handled by a NATO-based company. It cannot be entrusted to a company outside NATO. Ideally, it should be a certified company, because Albanians' data is an asset. We have neither gold nor uranium.

How can I leave critical infrastructure in the hands of a company from there?

Because the head of the organization wants it. He went there with members of the gang, struck a deal on how things would proceed, took some money from Abu Dhabi at 4 percent interest, and then distributed it as he pleased. Now let me turn to the costs.

This is the first problem: critical infrastructure. The second is costs. The costs are truly six to seven times higher. I have collected some articles, he has a habit of promoting articles before moving forward. For example, when he wanted to push the Tirana incinerator, national television stations were flooded with stories about garbage in Durrës and elsewhere. This is his usual tactic.

He pushes narratives himself, just as he did on a national television channel against Fatmir, then against Erion, then Ditmir, then Damian, and then against me.

Against me, the campaign lasted two months; against the others, a week.

And the costs, Mr. Peka, are right here.

They are indeed six to seven times higher. Let me tell Albanians what will happen.

There are 2,239 cameras of a certain technology. I urge specialists and national security experts to examine the technology carefully, it could be hostile technology. I believe security professionals understand exactly what I mean. Investigate it. It may not be so, and I hope it is not, because I do not want critical infrastructure in such hands. If I were cynical, I would say for a moment, Mr. Peka, that it would be better in the hands of Arab companies than in the hands of criminals, as is the case today. Look at what has happened with TIMS, into whose hands has TIMS fallen?

What has SPAK done? I laugh when they say they will take it to SPAK. What exactly will you take to SPAK? At SPAK, cases are buried and reduced to paving stones. What will you take there?

Now, the costs are nearly 5,000 fixed pole-mounted cameras and 3,816 body cameras. As for the body cameras, with the additional components included, so that Albanians are aware, once integrated into the system, each camera costs $15,723.

Çim Peka: A body camera costs $15,000?

Arben Ahmetaj: Yes, integrated with the system, excuse me, integrated with the system. It's madness. Albanians are paying $15,723 for a single body camera. Madness. Absolute madness. And there are two more elements here. Do you remember that the police once had body cameras?

Çim Peka: Yes.

Arben Ahmetaj: In very large numbers. That cost €5.7 million at the time, during Tahiri's tenure. €5.7 million. Now, half of the current fund goes just to add-ons, solely for body cameras. And don't forget that the World Bank provided $70 million for traffic monitoring. And don't forget that every municipality has invested in Smart Safe Cities. Why do this project? For himself. Why? For what purpose? Who will it be given to? Where do the companies go? And he removed the deputy minister and coerced him, that's how he uses people, and he treats them that way. He never used me like that for these matters.

I was never his repository. But of course, they ambushed me, and the trigger was pulled by Altin. In any case, Xhemal goes and signs, because Albana refused. Naturally, with this, you go to prison tomorrow. He leaves, because he is untouchable.

Çim Peka: Who signed this now?

Arben Ahmetaj: Xhemal Qefalia, whom he appointed as deputy minister.

Çim Peka: Deputy minister, yes.

Arben Ahmetaj: That's my understanding.

Çim Peka: Yes.

Arben Ahmetaj: Now, take a look at this, it's striking. The police monitor everything. This is from May 18, 2022. Look at this: €800,000, €800,000 to connect camera systems in businesses. Why does he keep spending public funds on this again and again? Why?

Or take this, according to the full system, it comes to €52,000 per camera for road monitoring.

Çim Peka: €52,000 per camera?

Arben Ahmetaj: Including the system. Albanians are paying €52,000 for a single camera. €52,000 on one side, €15,000 for a body camera on the other. I've said this about AKSHI, the costs are sevenfold. Why aren't they investigated? Didn't I ask Albanians to investigate?

At Gaxho's. I conducted an investigation at Gaxho, at Gaxheli. Big Gaxheli. I did. Do you want to see it?

Çim Peka: Yes.

Arben Ahmetaj: The costs are inflated sevenfold. Look at this. Okay. Here it is. This wasn't given to me by Gaxho himself, Gaxho would rather kill himself than give me this, because he lives and sleeps in fear of the head of the organization.

But here it is: through the customs system over the past 10 years, Mr. Peka, €50 million worth of similar systems have been imported, amounting to 1 million devices and security systems.

Meanwhile, Edi Rama is buying around 800 devices for $140 million. These are facts. They are not fabrications; they come from the customs system. Here it is. Over the past 10 years, 1 million security devices and systems cost €50 million. And then he comes out and says that a spectacular job has been done.