TIRANA, Dec 15 /ATA/ – The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Sali Berisha appeared on Monday at the Special Anti-Corruption and Organised Crime Prosecution Structure (SPAK) as required under a court-ordered reporting obligation linked to the so-called “Partizani” case.
Speaking to reporters after leaving SPAK, Berisha accused the government and senior justice officials of political interference and pressure on the judiciary.
He claimed an internal meeting was taking place inside SPAK and alleged that new instructions had been issued to officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“If you tried to enter that building, you would not be allowed in because a very special meeting was under way,” Berisha said, adding without providing evidence that decisions had been taken regarding the arming of NBI agents.
“All NBI agents will be disarmed and rearmed with wooden pistols,” Berisha said.
Berisha also criticized a recent Constitutional Court decision suspending a ruling by the Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime (GJKKO) concerning Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, saying it effectively blocks investigations into cabinet members.
“After the Constitutional Court’s decision, any possibility for anticorruption bodies to look into ministers is absolutely closed,” Berisha said, calling the ruling wrong and damaging to the rule of law.
He said the decision had emboldened Prime Minister Edi Rama and added that public opposition would continue through a protest scheduled for December 22.
Berisha also said he had left a written note at SPAK, reiterating his belief that justice would eventually rule on what he described as unlawful actions by senior justice officials.
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