FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The High Court has rejected the appeal filed by the defense of Italian businessman Francesco Becchetti, leaving in force the security measure of “prison arrest” against him. Today’s decision marks the rejection of any easing of the criminal status of Becchetti, who remains internationally wanted by Albanian authorities.
His defense had requested that the measure be replaced with a milder form, claiming that the conditions for detention do not exist, but the Supreme Court did not accept the argument. We recall that Becchetti was sentenced in 2022 by the Tirana Court to 17 years in prison for serious financial and criminal charges. The case is currently in Appeal, while the decision of this judicial level is expected on September 30, 2025.
While the Albanian justice system maintains the same position, abroad the situation has taken a different direction. A short while ago, Eurocontrol informed the Albanian government and the Albcontrol company that the Arbitration decision, in favor of Becchetti, has been executed by bailiffs in Belgium. After receiving the visa from the Belgian court, the funds blocked since December 2020, which came from payments for the use of Albanian airspace, have been transferred to the accounts of the Italian businessman.
The Albanian government, faced with a fait accompli, attempted to respond with a public campaign, accusing the Arbitration panel of corruption and promoting an “investigation” in which Becchetti was accused of influencing the judges. But this media campaign did not change the reality: Albania has lost a financial battle that has cost it 110 million euros.
This is the heaviest bill the country has ever paid in an international case. And for this damage, the responsibilities are clear: in the Arbitration documents, Prime Minister Edi Rama's statements about Becchetti were described as a clear violation of investors' rights, with overtones of political persecution.
While Becchetti benefits from millions in Belgium, in Albania justice keeps him "on the run" - a contrast that strips the system of any coherence. Now, it only remains to be seen whether the Appeals Court's decision in September will bring another reversal, or will finally close a chapter that has cost Albanians more than any economic crime since the '90s.
Lini një Përgjigje