Tom Doshi

Tom Doshi (born 6 June 1966) is an Albanian businessman and politician, ex-member of the Socialist Party of Albania in the last three legislatures (2005, 2009, 2013), and the leader of the Social Democratic Party of Albania.[1][2]

Tom Doshi
Tom Doshi in 2021
Member of Parliament
In office
2005–2021
PresidentAlfred Moisiu
Bamir Topi
Bujar Nishani
Ilir Meta
Prime MinisterSali Berisha
Edi Rama
Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Albania
Assumed office
17 December 2020
Preceded byËngjëll Bejtaj
Personal details
Born (1966-06-06) 6 June 1966
Shkodër, Albania
Political partySocial Democratic Party (2017–present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (2015–2017)
Socialist Party (2005–2015)
SpouseXhovana Doshi
Children4
Alma materState University of Tetova
Signature

Biography

A scion of a famous family from Kelmendi, Doshi spent his childhood in the village of Velipojë, 31 km in northwest of Shkodër.[1] He graduated in Law from the State University of Tetova.[1] For some time Doshi lived in Australia where his four children were born.

After returning to Albania, Doshi conducted a series of manoeuvres in the business field acquiring various businesses, such as a milk processing plant and the biggest pharmaceutical company in the country.[1][2]

Politics

Doshi entered politics with the Socialist Party of Albania under the leadership of Fatos Nano in the legislature that began in 2005, and continued to stay in the Socialist Party even after the arrival of the new leader Edi Rama.[1] During his years as a deputy, from 2005 to 2007, Doshi has served as a member of the Committee of Labour, Social Affairs and Health.[1][2] Doshi is the chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Albania.

Controversies

Assault on journalist

In March 2008 Tom Doshi was accused of assaulting the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) journalist Besar Likmeta in front of another MP. Likmeta was investigating the origin of Doshi's diploma. [3]

Alleged murder plot

On March 2, 2015 Tom Doshi was expelled from the Socialist Party's parliamentary group.[4] The expulsion came after Doshi had filed harsh criticisms against Prime Minister Edi Rama, Defence Minister Saimir Tahiri and the Speaker of the Parliament Ilir Meta. Doshi commented: "Today Rama has a tutor called Ilir Meta, who has paid lek [money] and ordered to kill me and Mhill Fufi."[5]

Days later, Doshi released the video of a private conversation between him and Durim Bani, the assassin paid to eliminate Doshi. In the video Bani states that "there are over 200,000 euros for the head of Doshi" and that "the killers will have the support of the government and Ilir Meta."[6][7][8]

Investigation in Australia

Tom Doshi is suspected of leading an organized criminal group implicated in money laundering, drug trafficking, and other offenses in Australia, according to assessment by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) [9]

Sanctions

On 16 April 2018, Doshi and his family members were banned from entering the United States of America.[10]

The Department (of State) is publicly designating Albanian Member of Parliament Mr. Tom Doshi [...] due to his involvement in significant corruption. [...] the Department is also publicly designating Mr. Doshi’s spouse, Xhovana Doshi, his adult daughter, Briana Doshi, his adult son, James Doshi, and his minor children.

— U.S Department of State[11]

References
  1. "U përjashtua nga grupi i PS-së, kush është Tom Doshi, deputeti më i pasur i Kuvendit" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  2. Doshi, Tom, Biography on the Parliament Webpage, - Retrieved 5 March 2015
  3. Igric, Gordana (2008-03-12). "BIRN Protests Assault on its Albania Journalist". BIRN. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  4. "Akuzat për Ramën/ Përjashtohet nga PS-ja Tom Doshi" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  5. "Doshi: Meta ka paguar për të më vrarë mua dhe Mhill Fufin, i paguari ka takuar Tahirin" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  6. Skenari i vrasjes, Tom Doshi publikon videon me rrëfimin e vrasësit të penduar. Ja transkripti - ORA News, 5 March 2015
  7. "Biseda e zbardhur/Rrëfimi i 'atentatorit' tek zyra e Doshit: Vendosa motorin me C4 pranë makinës, ja pse nuk e shpërtheva". www.balkanweb.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  8. "(TEKST I PLOTE + VIDEO) Vrasësi me pagesë: Sigurinë tonë e garantonte Meta, Doshi dhe Frroku janë ndjekur edhe në bulevard, tek shtëpia kishte kamera" (in Albanian). Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  9. "Influential Albanian Politician Led Organized Crime Group in Australia, Intelligence Reports Claim". OCCRP. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  10. "Tom Doshi shpallet persona non grata nga Departamenti i Shtetit i SHBA-së". Reporter.al. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
  11. "Public Designation of Tom Doshi Under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act". United States Department of State. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
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