With 117 votes in favor, none against and 3 abstentions, the Albanian Parliament paved the way for the Special Prosecutor\u2019s Office (SPAK) to go ahead with the arrest and personal control of Arben Ahmetaj and his properties.<\/p>\n
SPAK accuses Ahmetaj of corruption, money laundering, and failure to declare assets.<\/p>\n
During the plenary session, reports prepared by representatives of the opposition and those in power regarding Ahmetaj\u2019s case were read.<\/p>\n
Gazment Bardh, the leader of the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party in the opposition, urged Ahmetaj to cooperate with justice.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf every minister who goes to prison has to vacate their position, the Prime Minister should resign. The mastermind is not Damian Gjiknuri or Lefter Koka, but [the Prime Minister of Albania] Edi Rama,\u201d Bardhi said.<\/p>\n
Days ago, Arben Ahmetaj left Albania.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe person who ensured his departure from Albania is Rama. Rama should hand Ahmetaj over to justice; he cannot escape with the money of Albanian citizens. Each of us colleagues should have one goal: Edi Rama should hand Arben Ahmetaj over to justice,\u201d Bardh said, without providing evidence that the Albanian Prime Minister was involved in Ahmetaj\u2019s departure from Albania.<\/p>\n
Arben P\u00ebllumbi from the ruling Socialist Party responded to Bardhi\u2019s accusations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are neither judges nor prosecutors to make decisions. We have a report presented by the prosecution, which should be brought before the court with the person under investigation, and the court is the only authority that should make the final decision. Until that stage, we must recognize the presumption of innocence. We are not here to make political decisions. [Bardhi] mentioned many names, mentioned the Prime Minister of the country several times, but he does not exist anywhere in the SPAK report,\u201d P\u00ebllumbi said.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Edi Rama was present at Friday\u2019s session but did not make any statements in Parliament. Through his Twitter account, Rama announced he will speak on the matter Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\nPasdite n\u00eb 18.30 do t\u2019i drejtohem opinionit publik me nj\u00eb adresim p\u00ebr votimin e sot\u00ebm n\u00eb Kuvend.<\/p>\n
— Edi Rama (@ediramaal) July 14, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n