TIRANA, April 8 /ATA/ – The Constitutional Court on Wednesday rejected a request by former president Ilir Meta to overturn a pre-trial detention order against him.
In its ruling, the court upheld earlier decisions by the Special Anti-Corruption Court (GJKKO) and the Supreme Court, leaving Meta in custody.
The court said it could not examine Meta’s claims that his arrest was inhumane, noting that the matter remains under investigation.
It found that the detention measure had been imposed for a legitimate purpose.
The court also said there were sufficient facts and information to convince an objective observer that Meta may have committed the alleged offences, meaning the restriction of his liberty could not be considered unjustified.
It noted that Meta had already raised his claims before lower courts during proceedings reviewing the detention measure, including through appeals, while competent authorities had not independently intervened at the time to address those claims.
In a statement, the court said the security measure complied with procedural rules and was not disproportionate in light of the needs of the investigation.
The ruling was adopted by a majority of judges.
Reacting on social media, Meta said he was not surprised by the decision, referring to the Constitutional Court as the “Lana River Court”, and criticised the handling of his case after what he described as a six-month delay.
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