Prime Minister Rama has reacted to the security measures imposed by the Special Court against officials under investigation at the Agricultural University of Tirana (UBT), who face charges of corruption and irregularities in tenders.
Through a post on the social media platform “X,” Rama stated that he feels relieved by the modification of the security measures, as “the alleged violations are neither prevented nor aided by those measures.”
The head of government emphasized that prosecutors can carry out their duties “without holding university life hostage.”
A notable aspect of the Prime Minister’s statement is a discrepancy regarding the number of security measures changed. While Rama claimed that 20 measures were overturned, the Special Court’s ruling on Wednesday only altered six.
The security measures were changed for Serafin Skënderi, Ilir Kusi, Dritan Laçi, Azem Parllaku, Blenard Spaho, and Tedi Prodë. The court decided to modify their security status from “House Arrest” to “Obligation to Appear.”
Prime Minister Rama’s Statement:
Rama: “Here’s why I feel relieved by the news that the Special Court overturned 20 out of 24 security measures at the Agricultural University:
Justice for alleged violations from three years ago is neither hindered nor helped by these security measures. Meanwhile, the personal and family life of individuals who might be completely innocent is turned into an unjust hell with traumatic consequences.
Prosecutors and judges can now carry out their work without any obstacles, ensuring that any guilty individuals have no chance of escaping justice if they have misused public funds. However, university life should not be taken hostage, the reputation of the university should not be drowned in media sensationalism, and the psychological stability of the academic community, students, and parents should not be harmed while justice continues its work.
The strategic alliance between UBT and the BOKU University of Vienna, established through great efforts by the government, and the ambitious transformation program aligning BOKU/UBT2030 diplomas should no longer be threatened by the loss of trust from Austrian partners due to the alarming image of 24 security measures—as if this were an operation in Corleone village!
We demand an uncompromising fight against corruption and relentless punishment for anyone who steals from the people. However, we also cannot compromise on defending European democratic norms of justice.
For over a hundred years, we have withdrawn political power from the field of justice, leaving it to the judiciary to investigate and judge even us, just like anyone else, if we break the law.
We have handed the sword of punishment to SPAK. We have entrusted the scales of justice to the Special Court. But prosecutors, and especially judges, must make independence and impartiality an integral part of their professional conduct, respecting the presumption of innocence, human rights, and European standards of justice.
Therefore, they should hold the sword high—they have our full support. The scales belong to them; we do not interfere in judicial matters. However, whenever we see injustice in plain sight, we will not hesitate to speak publicly.
Albania’s new justice system in 2030, as part of the EU, must embody the principles of the Lady Justice statue—for everyone, always.”
