During the meeting, Berisha described Albania as “Europe’s first and only narco-state,” asserting that political pluralism is being suppressed by state institutions controlled by organized crime.

He alleged that opposition leaders are targeted through a politicized judiciary, while constitutional rights of opposition lawmakers in Parliament are routinely violated.

Berisha said he familiarized British lawmaker with the damaging economic and institutional effects of drug-related revenues, which he said exert decisive influence over government decisions, Parliament, the judiciary, law enforcement, and other state institutions. He stressed that these dynamics pose a serious threat to the rule of law and democratic governance in Albania.

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