This Cultural Week started with the closing event of the MATRA project implemented by the Dutch Training and Study Center for the Judiciary. This project supports the Magistrate’s School and its training program.

Dutch expertise supports the school’s Master’s curricula and adjusts the training program according to European standards.

This meeting took place at the Magistrate’s School in Tirana, where the Dutch ambassador Reinout Vos was also present. Other activities of the Cultural Week of the Kingdom of the Low Countries also include cities such as Berat, Durrës and Shkodra.

After the Dutch artists, the International Cultural Weeks will bring French culture and art to Albania, activities which will take place from June 19-28./p.s./

During her stay in Albania, Mrs. Braithwaite met with Director of the School of Magistrates Arben Rakipi, with whom she discussed promotion of cooperation and the lessons drawn so far.

In context of the program for the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the School of Magistrates, Rakipi and Braithwaite, together with representatives of judicial training centers from the region, discussed the progress of cooperation between these institutions.

“The AIRE Center is grateful for the continuous partnership with the School of Magistrates of Albania and together we carry out projects for the education of judges and prosecutors. This cooperation has been extremely important for the regional aspect, since together we have opened the door of regional cooperation of training centers, we have created a basis for the exchange of good practices and we have connected experts from the countries of the Western Balkans” said Braithwaite.

The activities of the AIRE Center in Albania and the region are supported by the Government of the United Kingdom and this organization is known for its quality cooperation with judicial institutions throughout the Western Balkans. Director Braithwaite said that Albania’s progress is recognized in the international arena, but that reform processes must continue.

“Albania, in many segments of the fight against crime and the development of new mechanisms, both through legal solutions and through improving the efficiency of institutions, can represent an example of good practice for the Western Balkans. We are working together to protect gender equality, together we have made important steps on the topics of asset restitution and administration of seized/confiscated assets. We will remain a partner of the institutions in Albania to move forward in other areas as well”, concluded Braithwaite./p.s./

Head of the HJC Naureda Llagami announced the decision after the High Inspector of Justice Artur Metani gave his report to the Council.

According to Llagami, “The HJC decided to accept the disciplinary measure for cutting the salary of the magistrate by 20% for a period of 6 months”.

The High Inspector of Justice had asked the HJC to initiate disciplinary proceedings with the measure, “Salary cut up to 40% for one year” against magistrate P.F. of Elbasan Judicial District Court.

The High Inspector of Justice launched the disciplinary investigation after revelation of some facts broadcasted on the investigative show “STOP” of the TV Klan, on January 31, 2017, which seriously discredited the position and figure of the judge. The broadcast showed that in exchange for an amount of money the magistrate pledged to give the minimum sentence for a defendant in custody, who was charged with three criminal offenses./m.m/j.p/p.s./