The Parliament is expected to give the green light to SPAK on Monday for the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj.

The Democratic Party and the Socialist Party decided to request authorization from the Parliament in Wednesday’s meeting of the Mandate Committee, initially for the inspection of the former minister’s residence and subsequently for his arrest.

The meeting, which was accompanied by debates and attended by the head of SPAK and Ahmetaj’s lawyers, concluded in this decision.

The Democrat MPs requested that authorization be granted to SPAK in Parliament on Thursday, but SP asked for more time.

“Our request was for the report to be reviewed as the first item on the agenda in tomorrow’s meeting, but it was arbitrarily decided to review it on Monday. Tomorrow morning, we will submit a request to change the agenda for tomorrow’s session. Any delay is an obstruction of justice,” said Gazment Bardhi, head of the parliamentary group of the DP.

Socialist MP Arben Pëllumbi stated that the majority should listen to the defense in order to prepare the report. He added that they will submit the report on Friday before 12:00.

Meanwhile, Gazment Bardhi reiterated at the end of the meeting that the file provided to the Parliament by SPAK also includes the names of other officials, including former Minister Damian Gjiknuri.

“Some of the names have been made public, such as some others who have been accused by us. Damian Gjiknuri, Ermonela Felaj, two former mayors who are now deputies, Fadil Nasufi, Baftjar Zeqo. Why are cases being singled out by SPAK, as it is clear that there is an intention not to treat this activity as an organized criminal group?” said Bardhi.

Arben Ahmetaj’s lawyers, who left the meeting after the prosecutors, stated that the accusations against him are speculations and refused to disclose the former deputy prime minister’s whereabouts.

According to them, SPAK is doing everything to defame and belittle the position of the Socialist MP.

Arben Ahmetaj left Albania before the Parliament discussed SPAK’s request for his arrest. According to reports from the Voice of America based on cell phone signal verifications, the last known location was Canada.

It is suspected that Ahmetaj left the country’s land border towards Greece a few hours before the Prosecution sent the letter for his arrest to the Parliament.

• What SPAK is requesting?

The Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) is requesting the Parliament to pave the way for the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj, who is being investigated under three charges: non-declaration, false declaration, and concealment of assets solely or in cooperation; passive corruption of high-level state officials or local elected officials in six cases; and money laundering of proceeds from criminal activity or criminal enterprise.

The case file includes 400 pages, involving Ahmetaj as well as other officials, and it wouldn’t be surprising if SPAK seeks measures against other individuals, including businessmen.

Ahmetaj’s ex-wife’s phone has been a key piece of evidence for the prosecutors, as it contains thousands of messages and phone calls that support the accusations.

It is revealed that from July 21, 2012, to October 10, 2012, there were 138 phone communications and 3,287 messages exchanged between Ahmetaj and businessman Mirel Mërtiri.

The request submitted to the Parliament by SPAK lists the actions for which he is accused during his tenure as Minister of Economic Development, Trade, and Entrepreneurship, and later as Minister of Finance, facilitating the concession contracts for three waste treatment plants (otherwise known as incinerators) in Elbasan, Fier, and Tirana for businessmen Klodian Zoto and Mirel Mërtiri.