TIRANA, May 31/ATA/- The former Supreme Court Judge Admir Thanza was sentenced to 18 months probation service. Thanza, who did not pass the Vetting because of property problems, is the first former judge convicted by the court.
During the session held on Friday, the jury took under consideration Tirana Prosecution’s request demanding a year and a half imprisonment on Thanza, while the defence lawyer demanded a moderate punishment against the former judge.
In the past, Thanza used to be a judge at the Constitutional Court and a member of the High Council of Justice for years.
On July 17, 2018 the Independent Qualification Commission dismissed Thanza from office because according to findings made by the International Monitoring Mission it turned out that the judge in question had concealed a sentence received in Italy. Thanza appealed the decision of the IQC to the Special Appellate College. But, the Special Appellate College left in force IQC decision.
After that, Thanza’s file was handed over to the Prosecutor’s Office in Tirana, where started the court case. At the end of investigation, the Prosecution Office alleged that the concealment of the sentence in Italy was deliberately made by the former Supreme Court judge, and according to Prosecutor Habazaj, the former judge had to be sentenced to 18 months in prison, but Tirana Court decided to sentence Thanza by 18 months probation service./j.p/p.s./
