The Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has remanded former Albanian President Ilir Meta into custody. His ex-wife and former party leader, Monika Kryemadhi, has been placed under an ‘obligation to appear’ before the court. This decision follows a contentious four-hour session marked by heated exchanges and allegations of political bias.
During the proceedings, the court imposed legal measures on Meta, Kryemadhi, and Ema Çoku, who are all facing serious charges of corruption, money laundering, and concealment of wealth. Pirro Xixho’s status was adjusted from ‘house arrest’ to ‘obligation to appear’ following the jury’s deliberations.
The session, which commenced at 1:30 PM, involved intense debates. Meta reportedly issued threats against the head of the Special Prosecution Against Corruption (SPAK) and the two prosecutors involved in his case. Afterward, the jury withdrew to deliberate on the defendants’ fates.
Meta has been under detention since Monday, while Kryemadhi and Çoku are required to regularly report to authorities. Xixho remains under house arrest. The defendants’ attorneys requested additional time to familiarize themselves with the investigative materials, leading to a three-hour recess.
In an unusual move, Meta chose to present his defense directly to the court without his lawyer, elaborating on his case for approximately two hours. Kryemadhi subsequently followed suit, providing her own explanations to the court.
Both Meta and Kryemadhi have claimed that the charges against them are politically motivated, characterizing them as a coordinated attack by Prime Minister Edi Rama against the opposition. Other opposition figures have expressed similar views, asserting that the case reflects a broader effort to stifle dissent.
In response to Meta’s arrest, the United States reiterated its support for Albania’s judicial efforts to combat high-level corruption. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting SPAK’s initiatives against organized crime.
