Former interior minister Saimir Tahiri sent a request to the High Court pleading for his release, claiming that he feels his life is in danger.

Tahiri was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months for abuse of office and is serving his sentence at the Fier prison.

He says that he is serving time at a regular prison, where there are also criminals from gangs he helped put behind bars.

The request addressed to the High Court states that “the imprisonment of the defendant Saimir Tahiri, may bring serious consequences for the defendant himself and his family”.

The Special Appeal Court against Corruption and Organized Crime decided in February that Tahiri should do jail time for the offense.

Now, Tahiri is seeking to suspend this decision and recognize the verdict of the First Instance Court which released him on probation.