TIRANA, March 17 /ATA/ – The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha reported to Albania’s Special Anticorruption and Anticrime Prosecution Structure (SPAK) on Monday after his court-mandated appearance under corruption charges for privatization of the “Partizani” sports complex in Tirana, when he served as the country’s Prime Minister.
Berisha was accompanied by his defense lawyer Genc Gjokutaj.
Speaking to reporters after leaving SPAK, Berisha accused SPAK’s Chief Prosecutor Altin Dumani of political bias, considering the ongoing case against him as an attack on democracy.
He also accused SPAK of pardoning the electoral crimes in Albania, saying “this is the gravest unconstitutional and antidemocratic crime in history of political pluralism in Albania.”
“This is the most serious attempt against free elections,” Berisha stated.
Berisha should report to judicial authorities twice a month under a Special Appeals Court ruling issued in January.
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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