TIRANA, Jan 6 /ATA/ – Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha appeared at the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption charges.
Former prime minister reported at a judicial police officer after the Special Appeal Court ordered the former prime minister last week to report to authorities twice a month.
Dozens of DP members and supporters gathered in a protest outside SPAK offices.
In a press statement, Berisha accused SPAK chief prosecutor Altin Dumani of mishandling cases of electoral crimes.
According to Berisha, SPAK was requesting reinstatement of the house arrest for him, not for evidence tampering, but because he had allegedly attacked special judges and prosecutors.
He claimed Dumani had closed crucial investigations and was working with criminal groups to cover them up. In his words, Dumani was the “chief electoral criminal.”
Berisha’s appearance is not for questioning. Instead, he is following a court order that requires him to report to judicial authorities twice a month. The measure, imposed on January 3 by the Special Appeals Court, was signed by Judge Egert Pëllumbi.
Berisha has rejected the court decision as unconstitutional and politically motivated. However, the opposition leader has stated that he will respect the decision, adding that it is the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights that would now decide over the case.
Former prime minister and opposition leader Berisha had been under house arrest for nearly a year, accused of passive corruption linked to the controversial privatization of the Partizani sports complex.
Prosecutors accuse Berisha of using his position as former government head to push through legislation benefiting five families, including his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi.
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