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The parliament of Albania made a decision on Thursday to revoke the legal protection of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who is the leader of the opposition Democratic Party and is facing allegations of corrupt behavior.
The vote was boycotted by opposition lawmakers who attempted to disrupt the session by gathering chairs and flares, but were prevented by security guards. Berisha chose not to speak against the motion.
The Socialist Party, which has control of 74 out of 140 seats in Albania’s national legislature, has agreed to a request from prosecutors to remove Berisha’s immunity as a member of parliament. The vote on Thursday allows prosecutors to pursue legal action and potentially place Berisha under arrest or house arrest.
Since the opposition declined to join, there were no opposing votes or abstentions for the motion.
Berisha, aged 79, faced allegations of corruption in October for supposedly exploiting his position to aid his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, in purchasing land in Tirana that was jointly owned by civilians and the defense ministry. This land was then used to construct 17 apartment buildings.
Both Berisha and Malltezi have claimed they are not guilty, stating that the situation was politically motivated by the ruling Socialist Party led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. Prosecutors have stated that if Berisha is found guilty, he could potentially be sentenced to up to 12 years in prison.
On Thursday, supporters of the Democratic Party demonstrated outside of the parliament building, holding up signs and chanting “Down with dictatorship” to express their opposition to the government. Berisha urged his followers to join him in a “no-turning-back fight” against the Socialist party’s “authoritarian regime.”
Berisha stated in a press conference after the vote that the decision will not eliminate the opposition, but rather galvanize it. The opposition will respond to the regime with the slogan “Today or never.”
Berisha served as Albania’s prime minister from 2005-2013, and as president from 1992-1997. He was reelected as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party in the 2021 parliamentary elections.
In May 2021, the US government and in July 2022, the UK government banned Berisha and his immediate family from entering their countries due to accusations of participating in corrupt activities.
As of October, when Berisha was accused, members of the opposition have consistently disturbed parliamentary meetings in opposition to the Socialists’ rejection of forming committees to look into suspected instances of corruption involving Rama and other high-ranking officials in the government.
The disturbances are hindering necessary changes, as the European Union has decided to initiate aligning Albanian legislation with that of the EU as a step towards the country’s eventual membership in the bloc.
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Track Llazar Semini on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lsemini
Source: independent.co.uk
