Albanian Political Turmoil: Former President Sali Berisha Placed Under House Arrest in Corruption Probe
In a significant development, a court in Albania has ordered the imposition of house arrest on former president and prime minister Sali Berisha following an investigation into corruption allegations linked to his tenure in office.
The prosecution alleges that Berisha, 79, exploited his influence during his term as prime minister from 2005 to 2009 to favor his daughter's husband in the privatization of state land. Berisha vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
Genc Gjokutaj, Berisha's lawyer, confirmed the court's decision, stating, "The court has accepted the prosecution's request by changing a previous measure and has now ordered house arrest (for Berisha) without the possibility of leaving the country." This decision follows a court finding that Berisha violated an order to appear twice a week in front of authorities.
Berisha, who currently leads Albania's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, intends to appeal the verdict. He insists that the accusations are politically motivated, accusing the current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating a political attack to silence the opposition.
Despite the court's decision, Berisha conveyed a resilient message to his supporters via Facebook, saying, "With or without house arrest, with or without police at the door, nothing will be able to separate me from you. With the motto 'now or never,' I invite you to continue the battle without return, even stronger and more determined."
The prosecution is yet to present its final indictment in the ongoing case.
Sali Berisha, a key political figure in Albania, served as president from 1992 to 1997, navigating the challenging aftermath of communism's collapse in the Balkan country. He later served as prime minister from 2005 to 2013.
In 2021, the United States barred entry to Berisha and his family, with the State Department accusing him of engaging in "corrupt acts" during his time as prime minister. These acts allegedly involved the misuse of power for personal gain and the enrichment of relatives and political allies. Berisha vehemently denied these accusations at the time. The recent developments mark a significant chapter in Albania's political landscape, with Berisha's legal battles unfolding against the backdrop of political tensions and accusations.
