“SPAK needs to investigate every corrupted politician, judge, and prosecutor”, declared Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in a joint press conference on Wednesday with Minister of Justice Ulsi Manja.

“SPAK will soon enter its third year of operations. The vetting process in a few weeks will enter its fifth year. But the patience of the Albanian people for a fair and equal justice system is 35 years old”, Rama said.

Rama reiterated that nobody can stop him from sharing his stance on justice with public opinion.

“As someone who due to their duty has politically and morally led with determination the justice reform on behalf of the political force that endorsed this reform, but also as a person who has been continuously under attack due to that reform, as well as its supporters who are unhappy today for the fact that the reform has not been as inclusive in all its investigations and judgments so far, I believe no one can take away my right share my stance on the work of this justice system”, he added.

In regards to his latest comments on SPAK, which were seen as a direct attack by many, PM Rama said were simply to encourage the justice institution to work harder, calling it the “greatest political investment in the country, in cooperation with internationals ”.

“Asking for more from the justice system does not mean exerting pressure on it. What can be said then about the statements made by EU and US representatives when they openly asked to punish corrupted politicians or judges? Is that pressuring justice? According to me, no.”, said Rama.

He added that former PM Berisha must be subjected to an investigation in light of the fact that he was declared persona non-grata.

“How is it called pressure when we are asking for the investigation of an ex-president and premier declared non-grata by the US over serious allegations that are straightforwardly related to the activities of the country’s institutions. I didn’t ask for punishment, but an investigation into January 21 and Gerdec”.