AFP article: The Special Court against Crime and Corruption ''unites'' Rama with Berisha!

The court examining the case against former Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha on corruption charges will call, at his request, current Prime Minister Edi Rama as a witness, a court spokeswoman told AFP on Wednesday.

Berisha, an opposition leader who has been organizing protests against the government for weeks, has been on trial since July for “passive corruption of a high-ranking official” before the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime.

The alleged violation, involving his son-in-law, is related to the privatization of public land in the capital Tirana. It dates back to 2008, during Berisha's term as prime minister.

The 81-year-old leader of the right-wing opposition Democratic Party has repeatedly dismissed the charges against him as "purely political" and accused Rama, his longtime rival, of being behind them.

For this reason, Berisha has asked the court to call Rama as a witness, who was mayor of Tirana at the time the alleged violation occurred.

It is not yet known when Rama may testify, but the next hearing is scheduled for April 30.

Berisha, the first democratically elected president in Albania after the fall of communism in the early 1990s, served a five-year term as head of state.

He was Prime Minister of Albania from 2005 to 2013.

In 2021, he was banned from entering the United States, and then the United Kingdom, due to allegations of involvement in organized crime and corruption, charges he has denied.

But Rama's government has also faced corruption scandals. Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, accused of corruption in a public procurement case, was dismissed earlier this year.

The fight against corruption is among the main criteria for Albania's efforts to join the European Union./ Translated into Albanian by Alfapress.al, taken from BSS NEWS

Happening now...

21:50 POLITICS

The "game" opens/ After Berisha, Ilir Meta also wants Rama as a witness in his trial!

21:45 SPORT

Bayern equalizes against Real Madrid, four goals in the Champions League, show in Germany

21:40 SPORT

Arda Guler shakes Bayern's goal, Real Madrid takes the lead

21:16 SPORT

Neuer's blunder, Real punishes Bayern very quickly, but the Bavarians' response is not delayed

21:11 SPORT

Historic! The 16-year-old Kosovar talent on the Bayern bench against Real in the Champions League

21:03 BOTA

Hopes rise as US and Iran move towards agreement to end war

20:57 SHOWBIZ

Has Mateo considered leaving BBVA?

20:41 SPORT

Juventus prepares summer plan / Bremer leaves and Kim arrives

20:09 POLITICS

Berisha makes serious accusations against Salianja: I attacked Agas, he had lunch with him, he used Suel Çela to threaten the Democrats!

19:51 EKONOMI&SOCIALE

How much does each Albanian get from the "savings" of the economy? About 18% of what is produced in a year is not used for final consumption

19:37 POLITICS

Berisha: Taulant Balla ka nxjerrë dje nga burgu vëllain e Suel Çelës, e ka çuar në spital!

19:25 POLITICS

BIRN: Çfarë do të thotë thirrja e Ramës si dëshmitar, në gjyqin e Berishës

19:19 BOTA

Izraeli shpall jugun e Libanit “zonë vdekje” për Hezbollahun: Do t’i vrasim të gjithë!

19:04 HAPPENING NOW

Diaspora Summit and protest for the Albanian language by students in North Macedonia!

Want to read more news