The statement followed a decision by Albania’s parliament to reject a request by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK) to lift the parliamentary immunity of lawmaker Belinda Balluku.

“Sweden supports Albania’s integration into the European Union, in line with the wishes of the Albanian people. A key requirement for progress in this merit-based process is the effective prosecution of corruption, including at the highest levels,” the Swedish Embassy said.

“We clearly expect that, in such cases, the justice system will be able to proceed swiftly and without obstruction. The Albanian political leadership remains responsible for ensuring this process,” the Embassy concluded.

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In a statement following Parliament’s decision earlier in the day regarding the parliamentary immunity of lawmaker Belinda Balluku, the Embassy said “the Netherlands supports Albania’s integration into the European Union, in accordance with the wishes of the Albanian people.”

According to the Embassy, a key requirement for progress in this merit-based process is the effective prosecution of corruption, including at the highest levels.

“We clearly expect that, in such cases, the justice system will be able to proceed swiftly and without obstruction. The Albanian politics remains responsible for ensuring this process,” the statement said.

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The Embassy’s reaction came after Albania’s parliament rejected a request by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK) to lift the parliamentary immunity of lawmaker Belinda Balluku.

Germany supports Albania’s EU integration process in line with the aspirations of the Albanian people, the Embassy said.

According to the statement, a necessary condition for progress in the merit-based accession process is the effective criminal prosecution of corruption, including in high-level cases.

“Our clear expectation is that, also in such cases, criminal prosecution through the justice system can proceed swiftly and without obstruction,” the Embassy said, adding that Albania’s political class is still expected to ensure that this process is guaranteed.

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The statement came ahead of a parliamentary session expected to vote on a draft decision authorising the arrest or detention of lawmaker Belinda Balluku through a change to her current security measure.

The Embassy emphasized the importance of maintaining the rule of law and judicial independence, while recognising Albania’s progress on judicial reform since 2016, including the creation of the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution Structure (SPAK).

“The Executive, Judiciary and Legislature remain equal partners in upholding that progress as part of Albania’s goal to achieving EU accession,” British Embassy stated.

“While Parliamentary immunity should protect democratic processes, it should not be an obstacle to equal accountability before the law,” the Embassy concluded.

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