The Special Appeal Court ruled on Sunday to leave former environment minister Lefter Koka in prison.

His attorney appealed for a more lenient sentence, possibly in releasing the former minister on house arrest.

Koka was arrested in connection to a waste incinerator affair. During the trial, he argued that he is a person with integrity that does not hide away from justice and offered to cooperate.

Earlier on, the Special Court ruled to leave former minister Koka behind bars.

He has been charged with abuse of office, corruption, and money laundering.

The former senior official is suspected of favoring a company and granting the concession of a waste incinerator in Elbasan.