TIRANA, March 9 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama on Monday described the suspension of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku from office as “absurd”, saying the measure had affected the functioning of a state institution rather than simply targeting an individual.
Speaking at a meeting of the parliamentary group of the ruling Socialist Party, Rama said prosecutors’ request to restrict Balluku’s liberty was based on a suspicion of “inequality in public tenders.”
According to Rama, the allegation against Balluku, also former Infrastructure and Energy Minister, relates to events dating back several years.
“The accusation brought last year is not for theft, corruption or any other offence linked to a crime scene or a serious criminal act, but only for a reasonable suspicion that, six years ago, in her capacity as minister, she committed the criminal offence of ‘inequality in public tenders’,” Rama said.
He said the allegation was based on messages discovered years later on the mobile phone of a former director.
Rama argued that the suspension from office had been imposed before the claims had been fully investigated, describing the measure as unjustified.
“It was an absurd measure that effectively suspended the institutional function, not simply the person,” he said.
Balluku is under investigation by the Special Anti-Corruption and Anti-Crime Prosecution Structure (SPAK) over procedures related to the construction of the Llogara Tunnel and several lots of the Tirana Outer Ring Road project. Prosecutors accuse the former minister of violating equality in public tenders.
Rama said parliament was now discussing a new request from prosecutors under its constitutional authority to authorize or reject the arrest of a sitting lawmaker under the Constitution of Albania.
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