FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The next hearing was held today at the GJKKO for what is known as the privatization affair of the former 'Partizani' complex, where the defendants are also former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi.
In today's session, Berisha's and Jamarbër Malltezi's lawyers requested that they not be tried in the GJKKO, but by an independent panel of judges, which is not blackmailed by SPAK and BKH, as they claimed. While the request of the defendants' lawyers will be reviewed, the next session is scheduled for September 15.
But the start of the trial against the former Prime Minister has resonated in international media.
The Associated Press writes that an Albanian court began the trial on Monday on corruption charges of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who heads the opposition Democratic Party.
Article from Associated Press
The trial of Berisha, 80, at the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime, which covers cases involving senior officials and politicians, also includes his son-in-law and three other people.
In October 2023, prosecutors placed Berisha under investigation on suspicion of abusing his position to help his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, privatize public land to build 17 mansions in Tirana.
In September 2024, Berisha was formally charged with corruption in connection with a property deal. He has denied the charges, describing them as political repression ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama, leader of the Socialist Party.
On Monday, Berisha appeared at SPAK, as required every two weeks, but said he did not go to court where he was represented by his lawyers.
"My presence or not is determined by my lawyers and of course in accordance with the laws," he told reporters.
"This is a session where my lawyers will present their claims," Berisha added.
Berisha was Prime Minister from 2005 to 2013, and served as President from 1992 to 1997. He was re-elected as a lawmaker for the center-right conservative Democratic Party in the 2025 parliamentary elections.
The United States government in May 2021 and the United Kingdom in July 2022 banned Berisha and close family members from entering their countries due to his alleged involvement in corruption.
Corruption remains a major problem that has continuously negatively impacted Albania since the fall of the communist regime in 1990.
In addition to Berisha, former President Ilir Meta and members of Berisha's opposition coalition have also been detained and investigated on corruption charges. They say the charges are politically motivated, accusing the government of corruption.
In October last year, Tirana began full membership negotiations with Brussels to align with the European Union on the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and the fight against corruption. According to Rama, Albania aims to join the bloc by 2030. /Adapted from Pamphlet/
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