The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime has decided that former Prime Minister Sali Berisha will appear before the judicial police twice a month. The decision was taken after considering the SPAK’s request for his return to house arrest.

New obligations According to the decision announced by judge Engert Pëllumbi, Berisha must appear on the first and third Monday of every month, at 10:00, before the judicial police officer Adelajda Metaj, at the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

Court hearing The session took place with the presence of Berisha’s lawyer, Genc Gjokutaj, who requested that the decision of the Court of First Instance to remove the security measure remain in force. On the other hand, SPAK insisted on restoring the measure of house arrest.
After an hour and a half of discussion, Appel decided on “compulsion to appear”, changing the previous measure of house arrest.

The accusations against Berisha and others Berisha and his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, are accused by SPAK of passive corruption and money laundering related to the privatization of the former “Partizani” sports complex. Malltezi, according to SPAK, benefited millions of euros from this privatization. The businessman Fatmir Bektashi and several other associates are accused in the same case.

Decision and next steps The court has ordered the Special Prosecutor’s Office to monitor the implementation of the decision. The parties have the right to appeal to the Supreme Court within 45 days from the announcement of the decision.