Former Albanian Leader Charged With Corruption

Albanian prosecutors have charged Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators have said on Sunday.

In its indictment, the special prosecution office to fight corruption and organized crime, known as SPAK, said Berisha used his influence as Premier from 2005 to 2009 to exert pressure “for the conclusion of the privatization procedures in favor of others including his daughter’s husband.”

While his son-in-law was arrested late on Saturday, Berisha himself is a lawmaker and has immunity from prosecution.

He has been ordered not to leave the Country and to report to the police.

Criminal proceedings began in 2020 when current Interior Minister Taulant Balla accused Berisha of being involved in the privatisation of grounds and other sport facilities belonging to FC Partizani in the capital Tirana that were later were replaced with multi-storey buildings

Berisha has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating the whole case.

“He ordered his mercenary prosecutors… The accusations are baseless and are Edi Rama’s direct political attacks against me,” Berisha told reporters late on Saturday.