Former Albanian president arrested on corruption charges

(CLO) Former Albanian President Ilir Meta has been arrested by police on corruption charges, according to information from his lawyer on Monday.

Mr Meta, 55, who served as president from 2017 to 2022 and currently leads the opposition Freedom Party, was stopped by police as he was returning to the capital Tirana from Kosovo, according to footage. Police said they were forced to use force to arrest him.

Albanian Prime Minister Ilir Meta speaks during a press conference in Tirana, Albania June 10, 2019. Photo: REUTERS/Florion Goga

Albania, one of Europe's poorest countries, has been plagued by political difficulties and corruption since the early 1990s. These problems have hampered the country's efforts to join the European Union (EU).

"Mr. Meta is charged with passive corruption, failure to declare assets and money laundering," Mr. Meta's lawyer Genc Gjokutaj said after meeting his client.

Mr. Meta has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer has also asserted that the charges are politically motivated ahead of the parliamentary elections in April.

Mr Meta's ex-wife Monika Kryemadhi also said on Facebook that she was facing similar allegations and was required to report to police regularly, calling it a "farce".

According to a statement from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SPAK), which filed the charges, when Mr Meta was still economy minister, he earned "a significant sum" from a debt collection deal for a foreign company.

In addition, Meta and Ms. Kryemadhi are also said to have made money from a deal with a telecommunications company. During their time as Speaker of the National Assembly, Meta and Ms. Kryemadhi, who was also an MP at the time, received a villa from a businessman in exchange for help, including amending laws in the National Assembly.

Other charges include illegal payments to a US lobbying firm, the purchase of a €335,000 apartment, and failing to declare more than €100,000 in costs for medical services at private clinics.

Local media also reported that two other people linked to Meta and Kryemadhi have also been charged.

Mr. Meta, who served as prime minister and speaker of parliament, is not the only opposition figure to face criminal charges. Last month, Sali Berisha, the leader of the largest opposition group, the Democratic Party, was also indicted on corruption charges.

The Democratic Party has accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of carrying out political “revenge”, something Rama denies. Rama has been in power since 2013 and plans to run for a fourth term next year.

Cao Phong (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/former-president-of-albania-was-arrested-for-corruption-post317856.html