The head of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardhi, says that if Veliaj is released from prison tomorrow, this would be the end of justice reform.
Bardhi asks international partners to closely monitor what is happening at the Supreme Court. Below is his full response.
If Erion Veliaj is released from prison tomorrow, by decision of the Supreme Court, this will be the final funeral of Justice Reform.
Erion Veliaj is not in prison for a single charge, but for four of the most serious charges that can be brought against a high-ranking official. SPAK has indicted him for 9 cases of corruption, committed in collaboration, for money laundering, committed in collaboration more than once, for concealing assets and abuse of office. In terms of the weight and number of charges, Erion Veliaj is currently competing only with Belinda Balluku.
I call on Albania's international partners to closely monitor what is happening in the Supreme Court. Prime Minister Edi Rama is doing everything to influence the judiciary and to realize the scenario of releasing Erion Veliaj from prison.
Our partners, who have invested in Justice Reform for 10 years, have the opportunity to evaluate what is happening in the Supreme Court as part of the standard by which the fight against high-level corruption in Albania is measured.
I call on the judges of the Supreme Court to live up to the duty and expectations of Albanian citizens for justice and the fight against impunity. If a person accused of 9 cases of corruption and 4 criminal offenses is released, then the detention system should no longer exist in the country.
Justice cannot have one standard for citizens and another, when faced with people in power.
