Albania’s top court has rejected a bid by opposition leader Sali Berisha to overturn his house arrest. The decision came after the eight judges were split evenly on the case, with no majority opinion.
For a ruling to be valid, at least five judges must agree, but the court has been short-staffed since September due to the resignation of one of its members.
House arrest saga continues
Berisha, a former prime minister, was placed under house arrest in December 2023. The arrest was linked to a corruption probe involving the privatization of the Partizani sports complex in the capital, Tirana. Berisha had initially been ordered to report to authorities and banned from leaving the country, but he argued that such measures needed approval from Parliament.
The Constitutional Court had previously backed similar legal decisions, but Berisha claims the case is politically motivated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government.
Serious corruption charges
The investigation accuses Berisha of using his position to help his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, and others profit from the privatization deal. Berisha faces charges of passive corruption, while Malltezi and three other men are charged with active corruption and money laundering.
Berisha has strongly denied the charges, calling the entire case a political attack ahead of next year’s elections.
The case has sparked growing tension between the government and opposition, with the outcome still unclear as judicial proceedings continue.
