The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime has sent the sterilization concession case to trial. Former Health Minister Ilir Beqaj, his ex-deputy Klodjan Rrjepaj, and businessman Ilir Rrapaj stand accused of embezzlement and abuse of office.
The preliminary judge confirmed suspicions that Beqaj committed the crime in collaboration with Rrjepaj and Rrapaj as part of a structured criminal group. All three are currently in custody.
During the hearing, they denied the charges, claiming innocence and arguing that the prosecution has no evidence. Beqaj himself called the accusation a pressure tactic to force him into a shortened trial, which he believes would prove his innocence.
