Greek help for Tirana visa ring
A gang in Tirana that over the last two years issued dozens of visas to Albanians who wanted to travel to Greece also worked with at least one Greek policeman who waved the travelers through at a border post in Florina, at Greece’s northern border, it emerged yesterday. Sources said that 14 people have been arrested in Albania for setting up what has been described as a «fake Greek consulate» that was selling visas to Greece for 3,000 euros to each applicant. It is estimated that at least 200 visas were issued by the gang. Albanian police also found at the building in Tirana a list of names of people who were on a waiting list to obtain visas. Albanian police believe that the visa holders were instructed to cross at the Kristalopigi border post in Florina when a specific officer, who colluded with the gang, was on duty. An investigation into whether the visas were forgeries or had been issued by any of the three genuine Greek consulates in Albania is still continuing.
