Berisha on verge of lifting immunity, opposition protests

The Council of Mandata and Immunitys in Albania's Parliament, after a meeting for more than 6 hours, approved the request of the former prime minister's Anti-Corruption Task Structural,<x0). Sali Berisha.

SPAK request It was approved by six votes pro: those of five SP deputies, members of this council, and a vote by opposition members, that of Democrat MP Enkeleed Alibej, representative of The official DP, rival of the faction “Refounding Group” led by Sali Berisha.

The above-mentioned Council's decision paves the way for deputies to vote at the plenary session this Thursday (21.12) for lifting the immunity of former Prime Minister Berisha and putting him in the disposital of justice to be investigated on suspicion of his involvement „in passive corruption in co-operation” in privatising the land of former sports complex „Partizanit” in Tirana.

Prosecutors' Prosecutors SPAK They suspect that Democrat MP Berisha, when he was prime minister (2005, 2013) favoured his son-in-law, Jamarbe MalltezTo build a multistory tower complex, being one of the owners of the land in question pierced during the communist regime.

The meeting of the Council of Mandata attended two SPAK prosecutors, who have signed the request for the removal of the parliamentary immunity of former Prime Minister Berisha, who was represented at meetings by his lawyers. Berisha himself took part in the protest of the Refounding Group, which took place before Parliament's chairmanship, simultaneously with the meeting of the Mendata Council.

Protest Against SPAK starts moving „Opositor to action”

Supporters of the faction „Refounding group” in the DP, led by former Prime Minister Berisha, protested the SPAK's request to lift Berisha's immunity. Their protest before the offices of the Parliament's Headship also marked the beginning of the action “Oposition” and civil disobedience. With this movement, the opposition rejects the Socialist majority's refusal to meet its demands regarding the establishment of investigative commissions, which it insists is an opposition constitutional right. Former Prime Minister Berisha has stated several times that the “Opositor in action” has nothing to do with the SPAK investigation against him.

“Migrator prosecutors, submitted to the Parliament's Council of Mandata after carrying out the constitutional stamp, have taken power over parliament at the order of Edi Rama, after having violated the country's two feet of constitution”, attacked former Prime Minister Berisha prosecutors at the meeting of the Mandata Council.

Why does Berisha accuse SPAK?

Early last month, the Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime,(GJKKO), took the security measure against former Prime Minister Berisha,” tasking for display” and” halting out of state” by blocking the passport. This court demanded that former Prime Minister Berisha appear twice every month near the SPAK judicial police to be asked about the privatisation of the former sports club “Partizanti”. The JKKO security measure received without requiring authorisation from parliament.

Former Prime Minister Berisha insisted on implementing the JKKO decision. Being MP and enjoying parliamentary immunity, he considered it „an unconstitutional decision. ”

According to Albania's Criminal Procedure Code, the rejection of the implementation of a security measure taken by the tribunal brings a more serious security measure, in concrete domestic or prison arrest case, which is expected to be implemented after the vote this Thursday (21.12.23) in Parliament on application or not on the Mandata Council's decision.

The outcome of the vote is unlikely to favour Berisha. Socialist Maxhora has the right number of votes to approve the removal of his parliamentary immunity. The SPAK road to implement the measure of arrest is without obstacles from parliament. Even though the SPAK in its request to the Mandata Council does not specify house arrest or jail arrest, the Albanian Criminal Procedure Code does not allow the imprisonment of persons over 70 and Berisha is 79 years old.

Berisha With Two Different Attitudes

When SPAK made public his request to parliament for the removal of parliamentary immunity, former Prime Minister Berisha stated that “whatever decision MPs make after granting authorisation by the Mandata Council, I will respect it without question”

When the Mandata Council began discussions Monday (19.12.23) regarding the SPAK's request for the removal of parliamentary immunity and parliamentary arrest authorisation, it emerged with a different stance. This is a humiliation of parliament. This is his announcement of a legalisation office of illegal acts, an amnesty office for illegal acts, a notary office,”, Berisha said, implying the meeting of the Mendata Council.

SPAK prosecutors, present at the meeting of the Council of Mandata, stressed that their request for authorisation by parliament for the measure of security with house arrest came due to the refusal of the first measure of security.

Will the protests continue after the mandate is lifted?

We will use any civil disobedience means to this regime. There's no power to stop us. We are and will remain freedom fighters until the day of full victory, that of leaving, the overthrow of this regime that is defraying Albanians,” said Berisha in his closing speech, held before the publication of the Council of Mandata's decision. In addition to the throwing of colored protest flares, the protest ended without efficacy.

Former Prime Minister Berisha led protesters to continue their protest this Thursday, December 21st, when parliament has the plenary session and MPs will vote for the removal of its parliamentary immunity. Will his supporters continue moving “This cannot be known and remains to be seen./dw/