Albania's parliament gives way to arrest MP Arben Ahmetaj

Parliament's decision to lift Arben Ahmetaj's mandate has reached the Special Prosecutor, SPAK.

The Assembly voted today by 117 votes for the removal of MP Arben Ahmetaj's mandate, paving the way for the arrest of the former deputy. The prime minister, following SPAK's request.

120 deputies were present, 117 voted in favour, none against and three abstained. 22 MPs were missing in the hall, while the three deputies in the abstained were Fatmir Mediu, Agron Duka and Vangel Dula.

It was the last step belonging to Albania's Parliament.

The decision is now expected to be published in the Official Library. The SPAK is expected to receive permission at the Court to proceed with the arrest and control of Ahmetaj's residence, which is not in Albania.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Ahmetaj reacted through his Facebook account shortly before the session began to take place regarding the SPAK's request.

Ahmetaj's whereabouts were not known so far. But his lawyer, Henrik Ligior, announced that he is in England, near his daughter.

Ex-Sv. The prime minister left Albania before the Parliament reviewed the SPAK's request for his arrest, information confirmed by Ahmetaj's lawyers, who said he left for personal reasons.

The SPAK says it has collected evidence showing the former finance minister on six occasions has committed corruption. The most corrupt and flagrant example is linked to the remaining traces on Klodian Zozo's computer, wanted and charged with intensives who allegedly paid for trips to several countries, him and his wife. The other five corruption cases are kept secret by the SPAK, as there are other persons under investigation.

In international paper-poros, but also bank accounts, the SPAK says that trips benefit 34 thousand euros from Arben Ahmetaj. This was the first trace that was caused the SPAK to separate Ahmetaj at the time from the government's number two file by 277, other than Elbasan Intenserator, dividing him into a separate faction.

Arben Ahmetaj is suspected of suspicious actions for all three intensaries. The other charge relates to the hiding of property, and the investigation is based on the preventative sequentation of two villas, one at Palase and the other in Hamallaj.