TIRANA, Sept. 30 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Wednesday that security measures currently in force would be subject to individual judicial review within 60 days under proposed changes to Albania’s Code of Criminal Procedure, stressing that the measure would not amount to an amnesty.
Presenting the draft amendments, Rama said closed cases would not be reopened and that evidence lawfully obtained before the new rules take effect would remain valid.
“The review within 60 days of security measures currently in force is not an amnesty. It is an individual review by the same court, case by case, with the right of appeal,” Rama said.
He stressed that procedural rights should apply equally to everyone facing the justice system, regardless of their political affiliation, profession or public profile.
Rama also said judicial independence should not mean freedom from procedural oversight, arguing that independent institutions must meet high standards in their reasoning and respect legal limits.
He acknowledged that implementing the proposed safeguards would require additional resources, including staff, equipment and expertise for the judiciary, prosecution service and judicial police.
Measures such as audio and video recording, digital evidence controls, electronic monitoring and data storage would require additional infrastructure, funding and training, he said.
Rama said the legislation would therefore include a transition period before taking full effect, during which judges, prosecutors, judicial police officers and lawyers would receive training and the necessary implementing measures and budgetary support would be put in place.
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