TIRANA, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian ministry of justice had removed from office eight prison governors who were suspected of several violations and abuse of office charges, Minister of Justice Etilda Gjonaj said on Sunday.
"After several inspections conducted in several prisons in Albania, the inspection groups found many serious violations leading to endangering security in prisons," Gjonaj told reporters.
According to her, such inspections were carried out in the framework of a nation-wide operation aimed at "cleaning" the prisons from unworthy governors involved in illegal activities.
"We are determined to enforce the law and will not tolerate any abuse or corruption of any public official who violates the law," Gjonaj said.
The eight prison governors were dismissed after reports over cases of drugs being allowed to be taken inside the prison, corruption cases, favors to inmates in exchange for money, exerting of violence on the inmates and those in detention by the police and appointment of employees against legal dispositions.
The ministry also said they had demanded the launch of investigations on the dismissed prison governors charged with abuse of office and conducting of arbitrary activity.
During the July-October period, there have been more than 150 cases of allowing banned things into the prison like mobile phones, strong drinks, USB and other electronic devices, the ministry's statement said.
