In his statement, the Minister of Justice highlighted that the matter of pre-trial detention should not be used by the opposition for personal or political purposes, but should instead focus on addressing the concerns of the hundreds of thousands of citizens.

The minister also noted that there are currently 2,665 individuals in pre-trial detention, including both men and women from diverse social backgrounds, for whom no final decision has yet been delivered.
The Minister of Justice criticized the opposition for using the session to focus on individual cases for political gain, rather than addressing the broader issue of justice. He emphasized that the 2,665 individuals currently in pre-trial detention, including women, juveniles, and heads of households from various social backgrounds, are still awaiting a verdict. He urged the opposition to prioritize the concerns of citizens instead of targeting political opponents.

Lamallari addressed the need for amending the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to ensure the rights and dignified treatment of all individuals in pre-trial detention.

“We should address the concerns raised by the Council of Europe, particularly regarding the lengthy periods of pre-trial detention, as well as the need to amend the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, to guarantee the rights and decent treatment of all detainees, not just the specific individuals you refer to.”

“We have a responsibility not only to speak on their behalf, nor merely to demand accountability from the institutions, but to unite in order to find common ground for updating the codes and reducing sentencing margins. Unfortunately, these margins still reflect a mindset rooted in a punitive and repressive political culture. This is my commitment as Minister of Justice and our vow as a government: to amend the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure in accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Europe and the highest standards set by the European Council,” he stated.

In his remarks during the Q&A session, Lamallari stated that the report from the Ombudsman provides general recommendations and is by no means a report that highlights specific violations or individual responsibility in the case of citizen Ilir Meta.

“Being committed to serving the truth as fully as possible and referring to the Ombudsman’s report in its entirety, not just the parts that are of interest to us,” he said.

“The Ministry of Justice has been formally notified of the recommendations provided by the Ombudsman, as outlined in the relevant correspondence dated the 2nd of this month. These recommendations are general in nature, focusing on the proper implementation of laws pertaining to the rights and treatment of inmates and pre-trial detainees, and do not constitute a report highlighting specific violations or individual accountability in the case of the citizen concerned. In fact, the report does not, at any point, use the terms ‘degrading’ or ‘inhumane’ treatment. This is the reality. The Ombudsman’s report does not draw attention to inhumane or degrading treatment,” Lamallari stated.

Minister Lamallari affirmed that Mr. Meta’s safety and dignity have been consistently ensured in line with the law on the rights and treatment of detainees. He emphasized that Meta is being treated in the same manner as any other detainee, with respect to both rights and obligations.

Regarding media requests for interviews, the Minister of Justice stated, “Prisons are neither parliamentary platforms nor television studios.”

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