The Special Court of Albania announced on Saturday that it has placed former Prime Minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, under house arrest.
Berisha, 79 years old, will be monitored by the police at his residence, as, following this decision, he is prohibited from leaving it and communicating with other people, except those with whom he lives, the Court announced.
The Special Prosecution Office of Albania (SPAK) had requested house arrest for Berisha, stating that he had disregarded the prosecutors’ decision to report to SPAK every two weeks and not to leave the country, while being investigated for corruption related to the privatization of the former sports club “Partizani”.
The execution of the decision is entrusted to the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, represented by prosecutors Arben Kraja and Enkeleda Millonai.
This decision was made by Judge Irena Gjoka, for whom it was claimed by Berisha’s lawyers that an exclusion request had been filed, but this was not confirmed by GJKKO.
Berisha’s lawyer, Genc Gjokutaj, opposed the decision and stated that they will appeal against it. The defense of the former Prime Minister has five days to appeal the decision to the Special Court of Appeal.
On December 21, the Albanian Parliament voted in favor of prosecutors’ request to lift the parliamentary immunity of Berisha.
In October, SPAK announced that Berisha is accused of corruption in a case along with his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, involving the illegal privatization of the Partizani sports complex.
What is Berisha accused of?
Berisha was accused in October 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.
It now remains unclear how this action will continue, as Berisha will not be allowed to communicate with anyone else except those with whom he lives, as per the Court’s decision.
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.
