The Albania parliament, amidst protests&nbsp;by loyal MPs has voted to remove legal immunity of former President Sali Berisha, who faces corruption charges. This move, met with&nbsp;jeers and demonstrations, marks a pivotal moment in Albanian politics.

Sali Berisha, a political figure who dominated Albanian politics in the 1990s and served as the conservative prime minister from 2005 to 2013, now confronts potential arrest and a lengthy jail term. Despite vehemently denying all charges, Berisha has labeled the investigation a "purely political" ploy by his rival, current socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

As the parliament voted to strip Berisha of immunity by a narrow margin of 75 to 65, his opposition Democratic party MPs protested vehemently, igniting smoke bombs and piling up chairs&nbsp;in the chamber. Berisha, leaving the session surrounded by bodyguards, defiantly declared, "I am stronger than ever."

Also watch |&nbsp;Albania struggles to control forest fire

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/albania-struggles-to-control-forest-fire-642072/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Protests and security measures</h2>

Outside the parliament, hundreds of Berisha's supporters protested, prompting police to cordon off the area. Riot police, equipped with water cannons stood by to prevent potential violence following the decision.

Berisha and his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, face charges of "passive corruption" stemming from 2008, when Berisha's government introduced a law allowing the privatisation of sports facilities expropriated under communism. The special prosecutor’s office alleges that these legal changes benefited projects in which Berisha and Malltezi had financial stakes, resulting in €5.4m in kickbacks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-ireland-women-secure-nations-league-a-berth-after-beating-albania-on-damp-pitch-653990">Also read |&nbsp;Football: Ireland Women secure Nations League A berth after beating Albania on damp pitch</a>

The parliamentary decision came after Berisha refused to cooperate with authorities during the investigation and ignored measures requiring him to report to the police regularly. Albania, often ranked as one of Europe's poorest and most corrupt countries, faced international scrutiny last year when Berisha was banned from entering the US and the UK over alleged involvement in organised crime and corruption.

The United States has accused Berisha of misappropriating public funds and interfering with public processes, asserting that, as prime minister, he used his power for personal gain. Berisha staunchly denies these allegations, setting the stage for a complex legal battle that could have far-reaching consequences for Albanian politics and its international standing.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Albania parliament, amidst protests by loyal MPs has voted to remove legal immunity of former President Sali Berisha, who faces corruption charges. This move, met with jeers and demonstrations, marks a pivotal moment in Albanian politics.

The Albania parliament, amidst protests by loyal MPs has voted to remove legal immunity of former President Sali Berisha, who faces corruption charges. This move, met with jeers and demonstrations, marks a pivotal moment in Albanian politics. Sali Berisha, a political figure who dominated Albanian politics in the 1990s and served as the conservative prime minister from 2005 to 2013, now confronts potential arrest and a lengthy jail term. Despite vehemently denying all charges, Berisha has labeled the investigation a "purely political" ploy by his rival, current socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama. As the parliament voted to strip Berisha of immunity by a narrow margin of 75 to 65, his opposition Democratic party MPs protested vehemently, igniting smoke bombs and piling up chairs in the chamber. Berisha, leaving the session surrounded by bodyguards, defiantly declared, "I am stronger than ever." Also watch | Albania struggles to control forest fire Protests and security measures Outside the parliament, hundreds of Berisha's supporters protested, prompting police to cordon off the area. Riot police, equipped with water cannons stood by to prevent potential violence following the decision. Berisha and his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, face charges of "passive corruption" stemming from 2008, when Berisha's government introduced a law allowing the privatisation of sports facilities expropriated under communism. The special prosecutor’s office alleges that these legal changes benefited projects in which Berisha and Malltezi had financial stakes, resulting in €5.4m in kickbacks. Also read | Football: Ireland Women secure Nations League A berth after beating Albania on damp pitch The parliamentary decision came after Berisha refused to cooperate with authorities during the investigation and ignored measures requiring him to report to the police regularly. Albania, often ranked as one of Europe's poorest and most corrupt countries, faced international scrutiny last year when Berisha was banned from entering the US and the UK over alleged involvement in organised crime and corruption. The United States has accused Berisha of misappropriating public funds and interfering with public processes, asserting that, as prime minister, he used his power for personal gain. Berisha staunchly denies these allegations, setting the stage for a complex legal battle that could have far-reaching consequences for Albanian politics and its international standing. (With inputs from agencies)

Smoke bombs thrown in Albanian parliament after former president Sali Berisha stripped of immunity

Albanian prosecutors have charged former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators said on Sunday.

In its indictment, the special prosecution office to fight corruption and organized crime, known as SPAK, said Berisha used his influence as premier from 2005 to 2009 to exert pressure "for the conclusion of the privatization procedures in favor of others including his daughter's husband."

While his son-in-law was arrested late on Saturday, Berisha himself is a lawmaker and has immunity from prosecution. He has been ordered not to leave the country and to report to the police.

Criminal proceedings began in 2020 when current interior minister Taulant Balla accused Berisha of being involved in the privatisation of grounds and other sport facilities belonging to FC Partizani in the capital Tirana that were later were replaced with multi-storey buildings.

Berisha has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating the whole case.

"He ordered his mercenary prosecutors... The accusations are baseless and are Edi Rama's direct political attacks against me," Berisha told reporters late on Saturday.

In 2021 the United States barred Berisha and his family from entering saying that as prime minister he had been involved in "corrupt acts such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members".

Berisha served as president from 1992 to 1997, immediately after the fall of communism in&nbsp;Albania, and as prime minister from 2005 to 2013.

He is now leader of the biggest opposition party, the Democratic Party, but is involved in separate legal battles over his leadership with another faction.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Albanian prosecutors have charged former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators said on Sunday.

Albanian prosecutors have charged former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and his son-in-law on corruption charges over a land deal involving the grounds of a sports club, investigators said on Sunday. In its indictment, the special prosecution office to fight corruption and organized crime, known as SPAK, said Berisha used his influence as premier from 2005 to 2009 to exert pressure "for the conclusion of the privatization procedures in favor of others including his daughter's husband." While his son-in-law was arrested late on Saturday, Berisha himself is a lawmaker and has immunity from prosecution. He has been ordered not to leave the country and to report to the police. Criminal proceedings began in 2020 when current interior minister Taulant Balla accused Berisha of being involved in the privatisation of grounds and other sport facilities belonging to FC Partizani in the capital Tirana that were later were replaced with multi-storey buildings. Berisha has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of orchestrating the whole case. "He ordered his mercenary prosecutors... The accusations are baseless and are Edi Rama's direct political attacks against me," Berisha told reporters late on Saturday. In 2021 the United States barred Berisha and his family from entering saying that as prime minister he had been involved in "corrupt acts such as misappropriation of public funds and interfering with public processes, including using his power for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members". Berisha served as president from 1992 to 1997, immediately after the fall of communism in Albania, and as prime minister from 2005 to 2013. He is now leader of the biggest opposition party, the Democratic Party, but is involved in separate legal battles over his leadership with another faction. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Albanian prosecutors charge former PM Berisha in corruption probe

sali-berisha

Sali Berisha, News on Sali Berisha, stories on Sali Berisha, articles on Sali Berisha, Sali Berisha stories at Wion, Sali Berisha news, Sali Berisha latest news

sali berisha

Smoke bombs thrown in Albanian parliament after former president Sali Berisha stripped of immunity

Albanian prosecutors charge former PM Berisha in corruption probe