Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his immediate family members will be denied entrance in US territory.
The news was confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Twitter citing “involvement in significant corruption”.
Former President of Albania Sali Berisha’s corrupt acts undermined democracy in Albania. I am publicly designating Berisha and his immediate family members as ineligible for entry into the United States. We remain #UnitedAgainstCorruption with our partners in Albania.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 19, 2021
In his official statement, Blinken stated the corruptive acts such as “misappropriation of public funds interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members at the expense of the Albanian public’s confidence in their government institutions and public officials” that were mainly conducted during the time Berisha was holding top executive posts.
Blinken reiterated that the designation to bar entrance to Berisha will serve to “reaffirm the need for accountability and transparency in Albania’s democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of Albanian public officials”.
The State Department reiterated its support for the ongoing reforms in order to restore the trust of the citizens towards institutions and democracy.
