Ex-Albanian PM Berisha Faces Corruption Charges, Claims Political Vendetta

In a significant development in Albanian politics, Sali Berisha, the former Prime Minister and current opposition leader, has been formally charged with corruption. The charges stem from a property deal allegedly involving his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi.

The 79-year-old politician, who leads the Democratic Party, has been under house arrest since December 2023. This measure was implemented after he violated a previous requirement to report to authorities bi-weekly. Additionally, Berisha has been prohibited from international travel.

On September 11, 2024, Berisha appeared at the Special Structure Against Organized Crime, Albania's special prosecutors' office. There, he was presented with the charges and provided with a substantial file of evidence, which he dismissed as "lies."

Jamarber Malltezi, Berisha's son-in-law and a figure involved in both politics and business, was also summoned to the prosecutors' office to face formal corruption charges.

Berisha vehemently denies all allegations, characterizing the investigation and his arrest as "political repression" orchestrated by Prime Minister Edi Rama, who leads the governing Socialist Party. Outside the prosecutors' office, Berisha told journalists, "Nothing has changed. It is a continuation of a political revenge."

The charges against Berisha are related to an investigation that began in October 2023. Prosecutors allege that he abused his position to assist Malltezi in privatizing public land for the construction of 17 apartment buildings in Tirana, the capital city founded in 1614.

"This is a politically motivated attack on democracy. We will not be silenced."

Berisha's political career spans decades in Albania, a country that declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 and endured communist rule from 1944 to 1992. He served as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2013 and as President from 1992 to 1997. In 2021, he was re-elected as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party.

The charges against Berisha could have significant implications for Albania's political landscape. With parliamentary elections projected for 2025, a conviction or ongoing trial could potentially bar Berisha from running for office.

It's worth noting that both the United States and the United Kingdom have taken action against Berisha due to corruption allegations. In May 2021, the U.S. government barred him and close family members from entering the country. The UK followed suit in July 2022.

These developments occur against the backdrop of Albania's ongoing efforts to combat corruption and strengthen its democratic institutions. The country, which joined NATO in 2009 and is a candidate for European Union membership, continues to grapple with issues of transparency and rule of law.

As Albania moves forward, the outcome of this high-profile case will likely have far-reaching implications for the country's political future and its aspirations for further integration with Western institutions.