The leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, has been ordered to report to judicial authorities twice a month following a court decision on Friday, January 3.
The Special Court of Appeals reviewed a request from the Special Prosecutor’s Office to return Berisha to “house arrest.” However, Judge Engert Pëllumbi ruled that Berisha must instead report to judicial police on the first and third Monday of each month.
Berisha’s lawyer, Genc Gjokutaj, criticized the ruling, calling it unclear. He argued that the prosecutor had not requested any new security measures, but rather insisted on reinstating Berisha’s house arrest.
“We are unclear about the main part of this decision,” Gjokutaj said. “The prosecutor was sticking to house arrest and did not request any other measure. This decision has opened a new chapter without solving any existing issues. We will certainly follow up on this.”
The decision follows Berisha’s previous violation of similar requirements. When asked if Berisha would comply this time, Gjokutaj stated that the decision would ultimately be up to Berisha, while reiterating their confusion over the court’s reasoning.
The former prime minister, who is under investigation for alleged corruption related to the privatization of the former Partizani Sports Complex, had been under house arrest for almost a year before his release on November 27, 2023. His case involves accusations from the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) regarding illegal financial gains tied to decisions made during his time in office.
The legal proceedings against Berisha, which also involve his son-in-law Jamarbër Malltezi, are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged corruption, with SPAK accusing Malltezi of improperly benefiting from a construction business to the tune of 5.4 million euros.
