By Zenel Çeliku
January 2025 marks a pivotal moment in the political landscape of Albania, as former President Ilir Meta faces serious criminal charges. The Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) is investigating Meta for his alleged involvement in a corruption scheme linked to CZ-DIA. He is accused of financial gain through political influence over telecommunications companies, as well as using his position to manipulate legislation in Albania’s Parliament.
In addition to these accusations, Meta is under investigation for his purchase of a luxury apartment in Tirana, bought at an unusually low price. Allegations suggest that this transaction may have been part of a broader network of corrupt dealings. Furthermore, Meta’s wife, Monika Kryemadhi, is also being investigated for her role in a separate but related corruption case. The couple, long linked both politically and personally, now faces legal scrutiny for their alleged involvement in unlawful activities.
Meta is also under investigation for his involvement in lobbying contracts in the United States and his role in suspicious financial dealings. These charges suggest a deeply ingrained culture of political patronage that has allowed such practices to thrive unchecked.
For Meta, this legal challenge represents a confrontation with the very system that helped propel him to power. His arrest and the ensuing investigation offer a rare glimpse into the opaque ties between business and politics in Albania, where power has long been wielded with impunity. The investigation into Meta’s activities could serve as a key test for Albania’s justice system—one that has often been criticized for its failure to hold influential figures accountable.
While Meta denies the charges and frames them as a political vendetta orchestrated by Prime Minister Edi Rama, his case brings Albania to a crossroads. Can the justice system finally break the cycle of corruption and political favoritism? Or will it be business as usual for the powerful elite?
