Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha arrived at the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), where he will be questioned by prosecutors Arben Kraja and Enkeleda Millonai, who are investigating the case of the privatization of the former “Partizani” sports complex.

Berisha will be accompanied by his lawyers during the questioning. He has been under house arrest since December 28, accused by SPAK of corruption.

“The battle continues,” Berisha said to the media as he left his residence, accompanied by two State Police vehicles. This is the first time Berisha has gone to SPAK’s premises to give his testimony about the investigation initiated by the Special Prosecutor’s Office into the actions taken by the former prime minister during the privatization procedures of the “Partizani” complex. On January 25, it is expected that Berisha’s son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, will also go to SPAK to be questioned, as he is also under investigation in the same case.

Berisha himself has appealed the house arrest measure, seeking its revocation because his duties as a deputy require his physical presence in the parliamentary sessions. He has also requested permission to attend the Parliament. These two requests are expected to be reviewed by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime.

“I am here to denounce Edi Rama and the organized group in this building, in this institution,” Berisha said as he entered SPAK.

What is Berisha accused of?

Berisha was accused in October 2023 of abusing his position to assist his son-in-law Jamarbër Malltezi in buying land in Tirana owned by citizens and the Ministry of Defense, as well as constructing 17 residential buildings on that land.

Berisha and Malltezi have dismissed the allegations, claiming that the case against them is politically motivated by the ruling party of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Socialist Party.

Since October, opposition Democratic Party deputies have consistently obstructed parliamentary sessions, as they call it, to prevent the highly authoritarian rule of the Socialists.

Berisha served as Prime Minister of Albania from 2005 to 2013 and as President from 1992 to 1997.

In May 2021, the United States and in July 2022, the United Kingdom banned Berisha and his close family members from traveling to these countries due to suspicions of his involvement in corruption.