Albanian police and prosecutors have uncovered a multimillion-euro tax evasion and fraud scheme at a cosmetic surgery clinic in central Tirana that authorities say endangered patients’ health and operated illegally for more than a year.
The “International Medicare” clinic, part of the Sante Plus Group, was shut down last week. Investigators said it generated more than 1 million euros in undeclared income, carried out procedures with expired and banned medicines, and paid staff off the books.
Police arrested Edmond Zaja, 62, a cook at the clinic who was formally listed as its administrator. He is due in court on Monday for a custody hearing. Two main shareholders, Turkish citizen Bilal Kara and Albanian national Geriana Arapi, are wanted internationally and believed to be abroad, prosecutors said.
During the raid, police seized 100 ledgers of unregistered invoices and 27 types of smuggled or expired drugs used for botox, fillers and hair transplants. Patients were charged in cash without receipts, investigators said.
Authorities said Kara is honorary consul of North Macedonia in Izmir, chairman of the Turkey–North Macedonia Business Council at DEIK, and a member of the Albania–Turkey Chamber of Commerce. He is now the subject of an international arrest warrant, and Albanian authorities are seeking assistance from partners to secure his extradition.
Prosecutors said the case highlights how dangerous and unregulated businesses have been able to operate in Albania’s capital, posing risks to public health and undermining state institutions. Investigations into the clinic’s full network and ownership are continuing.