Albanian Prosecutors Seek to Strip Former PM Berisha of Parliamentary Immunity

Berisha, charged with corruption, claims innocence and alleges political motivation behind the charges.

Albanian prosecutors have asked lawmakers to strip former Prime Minister Sali Berisha of his parliamentary immunity as he did not abide by their previous decision to report regularly while he is being investigated for corruption.
Berisha, 79, was charged with corruption in October. Prosecutors alleged that his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, had exploited his prime minister’s post to buy land in Tirana owned by both private citizens and the country’s Defense Ministry, and build 17 apartment buildings on the property.
Berisha and Malltezi claim they are innocent and that the case is politically motivated by the ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Berisha served as Albania’s prime minister from 2005-2013, and as president from 1992-1997. He was reelected as a lawmaker for the Democratic Party in 2021 parliamentary elections.
The United States government in May 2021 and the United Kingdom in July 2022 barred Berisha and close family members from entering their countries because of alleged involvement in corruption.