Albania fires consul in Nigeria over alleged fraud charges

It is unclear whether the Sandesara brothers are in Albania, how they got the Albanian citizenship last year. (Shutterstock)

• Nitin and his brother Cetan Sandesara own the Sterling Biotech company, which they used to borrow $725 million from banks there and leave India

TIRANA, Albania: Albania’s Foreign Ministry has fired an Indian serving as its consul of honor in Nigeria after learning he was wanted in his country for money laundering.
A statement Monday said the ministry interrupted Nitin Sandesara’s mandate as a consul in Nigeria because his case “may damage the (country’s) image and reputation.”
Nitin and his brother Cetan Sandesara own the Sterling Biotech company, which they used to borrow $725 million from banks there and leave India.
Last week Albanian police arrested Cetan’s brother-in-law, identified as H.P., 59, while trying to leave the country. He is to be extradited to India.
It is unclear whether the Sandesara brothers are in Albania, how they got the Albanian citizenship last year and how Nitin Sandesara was promoted to the consul’s post.