Basha remained inside the institution for more than an hour and a half. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Basha said he was called in as someone who may hold information relevant to the case, declining to specify details due to the legal obligation to respect investigative secrecy.

“I was summoned as a person who has knowledge of a case under investigation. For further information, I ask that you refer directly to the institution, because legally I must respect the secrecy of the investigation,” he said.

Asked whether there had been an order to open fire during the events of January 21, 2011, Basha declined comment.

Basha served as Interior Minister at the time of the January 21 protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office, during which four demonstrators were shot dead.

In November 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the case constituted a “state crime” and required renewed investigation. Following a July 2024 order from the High Court, SPAK formally reopened the probe into the events.

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He said that during the ninth legislature there are expected political confrontations, but with the aim of a stronger, fairer and more developed Kosovo.

According to him, despite the challenges in the election of the Speaker of the Assembly for the past six months, the process has contributed to democracy and emancipation as a society.

“In the quality of Speaker of the Assembly, I call on you for cooperation and unification. It is time to prove that, despite political differences, we have the courage and wisdom to work together for the future of our country, our Republic for which entire generations were sacrificed… In this Assembly, I expect open debate, but also respect for each other. I want to see criticism, but also alternatives. I want to see political confrontation, but with the common goal of a stronger, fairer and more developed Kosovo. Honorable MPs, we have differences, but Kosovo is our common country”, he said.

Basha called for unification and reminded great men in the past like Skanderbeg, the legendary commander of the KLA Adem Jashari as well as the historical president Ibrahim Rugova.

In addition, Basha emphasized the significance of the alliance with the United States of America and the main EU countries. /KosovaPress/p.s./

“I wish a peaceful day to all Albanian citizens. I call on the first time voters to head to the ballot boxes to exercise their right to vote – to elect the government, parliament, MPs that represent them,” Basha said in a statement to the media.

“Today you have a precious right to vote for your future. Believe in Albania, yourself and the future”, said Basha.  //a.i/

Addressing a meeting with a group of freelancers in Tirana, Basha voiced his full support for the special anti-corruption prosecution structure, SPAK, calling it as one of the few institutions working in line with the European standards and uninfluenced by the political parties.

He underlined that lack of transparency, and the destruction of institutions that should oversee the government, such as the Supreme State Audit Office, have led to abuses amounting to 7 billion euros. According to him, these funds would be sufficient to support ambitious social and economic policies.

Basha said that the political force he leads is committed to increasing funds, human resources and legal infrastructure for SPAK, adding that he has proposed vetting of the politicians and lifting of parliamentary immunity as necessary steps to combat high-profile corruption.

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Basha took to the social media to praise courage of journalists and intellectuals as harbingers of the freedom of speech and expression in Albania, by stepping into a new era of democracy and independent press.

“Today, January 5, marks 34 years since the newspaper Rilindja Demokratike lead the way to freedom of speech in Albania, opening a new chapter for democracy and independent press. The courage of then journalists and intellectuals remains an inspiration to all those who still believe today that free media is the pillar of a democratic society,” Basha wrote.

In his message, Basha voiced concern over the challenges facing media freedom in the country, threats against journalists, self-censorship, and the lack of transparency from institutions.

“Meanwhile, media freedom and pluralism in our country are being threatened by the lack of security for journalists, threats to editorial independence, political and economic pressure, and self-censorship. But, there can be no functional democracy and sustainable development without independent press,” Basha stated.

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Lulzim Basha, leader of Albania’s Euro-Atlantic Democrats Party, marked the 14th anniversary of Albania’s visa liberalization with the European Union on Sunday, reflecting on the achievement and calling for the visa-free travel with the United States.

“14 years ago, the sacrifices and aspirations of the Albanian people became a reality. Thanks to hard work and dedication, Albanians could travel without visas, reunite with family, and be treated with dignity throughout Europe,” Basha said in a social media post marking the anniversary.

Basha served as Albania’s Foreign Minister when the visa regime for Albanian citizens was lifted 14 years  ago.

He also called for Albania to move forward with its next major goal: visa-free travel with Albania’s strategic ally, the United States of America.

“Today, we face another mission: visa liberalization with the US, our strategic ally. Just as we made free movement within the EU a reality, we can do the same with the U.S,” he said, adding that that achieving this goal would require continued efforts to tackle corruption and crime, as well as a government that prioritizes the welfare of citizens over political interests.

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In a statement on the social media in response to announcement by Prime Minister Edi Rama of the government’s 2025 budget, which includes a year-end bonus for pensioners, Basha said that a handful of people are reaping benefits and accused government of abandoning retired people.

Basha said that instead of offering year-end bonuses to pensioners, the government should deliver on sustainable pension reforms.

“The current pension system is on the brink of collapse, affected by Albania’s declining population and falling contributions. The small handouts and the electoral bonuses provide no long term solutions and fail to address deeper, long-term challenges facing pensioners,” Basha said in his social media statement.

As part of his proposed solution, Basha outlined a plan to increase pensions by 20%, adjust them annually based on double the rate of inflation, and provide a permanent bonus of 250,000 leks for lower pensions. He also pledged to reimburse essential medication costs for retirees.

“Albanian pensioners are the victims of misconduct and widespread corruption in every government level. The solution is a radical change that paves the way for a government that takes care of pensioners and Albanian families,” he said.

“The current pension system is failing to support its beneficiaries,” Basha added. “A fundamental change is needed to ensure the government addresses the needs of pensioners and the broader economy.”

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Among other things, Basha spoke about Kosovo.

“Kosovo is independent country. This is an irreversible reality. Why not end this and focus all our energy on what matters to our citizens? And this commitment must be shown with deeds”, said Basha.

He further stated that its membership in the international organizations brings security, not only for the citizens of Kosovo, but also for the minorities living there.

Further on, Basha spoke about the terrorist attack in Banjska and said that those responsible have not yet been brought to justice. Head of the Euro-Atlantic Democrats further stated that it is Belgrade’s responsibility to capture the culprits who are still at large in Belgrade, and punish them.

“A year ago, there happened an attack on the territory of Kosovo. But, those who are responsible have not yet been brought to justice”, Basha further emphasized.

“I think most citizens see that nationalist rhetoric is simply a trick to hide failures, to offer economic prosperity, opportunities, equality before the law, democratic elections, independent institutions,” Basha said. /p.s./

In his remarks as PACE discussed a draft resolution on risks propaganda and disinformation pose to the freedom of information in Europe, Basha called for a comprehensive strategy to safeguard freedom of speech, particularly in regions where authoritarian regimes exploit propaganda to suppress dissents.

He pointed out “the significant risks that propaganda and disinformation pose to the freedom of information in Europe, especially in the Balkans, where autocratic regimes threaten democratic principles.

“In these countries, propaganda is not just a tool of influence, but a tool of control, undermining public opinion and eroding confidence in democratic institutions,” Basha said.

He identified Russia as a particularly dangerous player, accusing it of actively attempting to influence perceptions through disinformation campaigns. By capitalizing on historical grievances and social divisions – Basha noted – Russia aims to destabilize democracies and weaken alliances across the continent.

In his remarks, Basha called for promoting media literacy and ensuring equal access to information in the Balkans. He said that a diverse media landscape could empower citizens to resist manipulation, ultimately fostering democratic resilience.

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“Albanian citizens, although ranking bottom in terms of the income per capita in Europe, they still rank seventh for the highest oil price in the world,” Basha claimed in a social media post on Thursday.

According to Basha, lifting a fuel tax of 24 lek was a long-standing commitment as part of the Euro-Atlantic Democrats program.

“The prices hurting consumers and production are a consequence of the so-called ‘Rama tax’ on fuel, as well as oil smuggling that is allowed for the Prime Minister’s clients at the expense of Albanian citizens,” Basha stated.

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