Former Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha has been placed under house arrest following an investigation into a corruption case relating to his time in office, the news agency Reuters reported.

Former Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha has been placed under house arrest following an investigation into a corruption case relating to his time in office, the news agency Reuters reported. The order by a court on Saturday comes amid Berisha, 79, refusing to appear before the judiciary police in connection with the investigation. Albanian prosecutors have accused Berisha of using his influence while premier between 2005 and 2009 to favour his son-in-law Jamarber Malltezi in the privatisation of state land. Berisha now heads the opposition Democratic Party. Following the court's decision, Berisha's lawyer Genc Gjokutaj said, "The court has accepted the prosecution's request by changing a previous measure and has now ordered house arrest (for Berisha) without the possibility of leaving the country." Also read: Smoke bombs thrown in Albanian parliament after former president Sali Berisha stripped of immunity Gjokutaj added that the former prime minister would appeal the verdict. In October, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organised Crime indicted Berisha, suspecting him of “passive corruption of senior official.” Berisha's legal immunity revoked Two days before the house arrest, lawmakers revoked the 79-year-old's legal immunity, a report by the news agency AFP said. His son-in-law Malltezi was arrested in October and placed under house arrest for suspected corruption and money laundering. Malltezi has been suspected of taking advantage of his father-in-law's position to acquire a sports complex in Tirana that was owned by the defence ministry, which was turned into apartments. Former PM denies accusation Berisha has denied accusations of corruption levelled against him by prosecutors. He has accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of carrying out a political attack to silence the opposition. Soon after the house arrest was ordered, he said in a Facebook Post, "With or without house arrest, with or without police at the door, nothing will be able to separate me from you." "With the motto 'now or never' I invite you to continue the battle without return, even stronger and more determined," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Albanian PM Sali Berisha placed under house arrest

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.

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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

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Former Albanian PM Sali Berisha placed under house arrest

Albanian prosecutors charge former PM Berisha in corruption probe