TIRANA, Dec 30 /ATA/-By Maela Marini/ Prime Minister Edi Rama stressed today that not every case investigated by the Special Prosecution indicates that the suspect has committed corruption, citing the case of the former mayor of Fushë-Arrëz, who was sentenced for illegal tree cutting.
At the year-end press conference with journalists, Rama stressed the importance of clearly distinguishing the severity of criminal offences, calling the sentence outrageous.
He pointed out that the former mayor of Fushë-Arrëz had cleared a road for the community, which involved cutting a few trees, yet he served a sentence for tree cutting.
“So far, the number of convictions remains very low compared to the number of cases. Many proceedings are drawn out, and Strasbourg has, in turn, highlighted serious problems when cases reach them after this long and arduous process,” Rama said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that even well-intentioned efforts to fight corruption do not always achieve the desired results, warning against chaotic and ineffective approaches reminiscent of past political excesses.
Rama warned that offenses like abuse of office are often applied too broadly, emphasizing the need to respect the independence of government branches and officials in decision-making, without undue interference from prosecutors.
The Prime Minister emphasized that judicial independence applies only when a decision involves a deliberate intent to gain illegally or to cause harm knowingly.
Rama criticized the use of messages as evidence and media fodder, warning that democratic justice must set limits to protect individuals’ lives and families from being unfairly destroyed during legal proceedings.
/sm/
