FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
With all these corrupt friends, from Albania, Europe and the USA, the question that arises is; how true is the popular saying, 'tell me who you hang out with and I'll tell you who you are', in the case of Prime Minister Rama?
The Albanian 'pear-in-the-back' virus has crossed national borders and spread to Europe, and beyond. All those affected by this 'virus' have one thing in common: contact with 'Patient Zero', Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Quite ironically, in addition to those who have surrounded him and surround him in the government but not only, Rama seems to be a 'curse' even for foreign 'friends'. The arrest of the former EU High Representative for Foreign Policy, Federica Mogherini (an old friend of Rama), accused of corruption, was the news of the day. But Mogherini seems not to be the only (friend) of Rama in the international arena who has ended up on the radar of justice, since, as Rama says, 'they have eaten pears behind our backs'. (Fortunately not behind our Prime Minister's backs!)
The list continues as follows, with some having managed to close investigations with maneuvers despite numerous accusations, others being investigated, and some serving sentences.
Federica Mogherini : The former EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and current Rector of the College of Europe, has been arrested in Brussels as part of a wide-ranging investigation into fraud in public procurement procedures. It is learnt that her detention is linked to a corruption suspicion involving the College of Europe and the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Stefano Boeri : A close friend of Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and one of the most talked-about figures in Tirana’s concrete projects, he is at the center of a criminal investigation in Italy. The Milan prosecutor’s office opened a new corruption and forgery case in July that has led to arrest warrants for six people, including municipal officials and construction businessmen. Boeri, the famous architect of “Bosco Verticale” and one of the creators of “Milano 5.0,” is also on the list.
Charles McGonigal : The former FBI chief, also a friend of Rama, was arrested in January 2023 for illegally working for sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska after his retirement from the FBI in 2018. McGonigal conspired to evade U.S. sanctions by agreeing to provide services to Deripaska in exchange for hidden payments. McGonigal also admitted to receiving at least $225,000 in cash from Agron Neza. McGonigal also traveled to Albania several times with Neza and met with high-level officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, without reporting these contacts and financial arrangements to the FBI as required. In December 2023, McGonigal was sentenced to 50 months in prison and ordered to pay a $40,000 fine.
Ursula von der Leyen : The European Commission President, whom Rama also calls a good friend, has faced accusations regarding fairness, transparency and ethics throughout her career, particularly in connection with the so-called "Pfizergate" scandal. The main fairness issue von der Leyen is currently facing is related to the lack of transparency regarding her personal messages with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla during negotiations for EU contracts for the COVID-19 vaccine.
Romana Vlahutin : The EU Ambassador to Albania, was the subject of an internal investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) in 2018. The case related to the controversial purchase of an EU ambassadorial residence in Tirana, which was later closed without criminal charges. The OLAF investigation focused on allegations of procedural irregularities and abuse of office in the purchase of a villa at an inflated price. The case was eventually closed by the then head of OLAF. However, Vlahutin was dismissed by the European Commission in early 2023 for various violations, which were not disclosed.
With all these corrupt friends, from Albania, Europe and the USA, the question that arises is; how true is the popular saying, 'tell me who you hang out with and I'll tell you who you are', in the case of Prime Minister Rama?/ Pamphlet
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