Former Albanian PM Sali Berisha and Son-in-Law Charged in Corruption and Money Laundering Probe

Charges relate to allegations of exploiting Berisha's position as Prime Minister in a suspicious land deal linked to his son-in-law, who has been arrested; Berisha maintains all charges are politically motivated.

• The Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) alleges former Albanian PM Sali Berisha used his influence as premier from 2005 to 2009 to facilitate privatization procedures in favor of specific parties, including his son-in-law.
• Berisha's son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, is suspected to have exploited Berisha's position as PM to privatize land in Tirana owned by the country's Defense Ministry, purchasing it at a significantly low price, and constructing apartments on the property.
• Berisha is currently immune from prosecution due to his status as a lawmaker; however, authorities have restricted him from leaving Albania while the corruption investigation is underway.
• Berisha and his son-in-law maintain their innocence and accuse current PM Edi Rama of orchestrating the corruption charges as a political attack.
• This case comes three years after Interior Minister Taulant Balla sent a file with allegations against Berisha and Malltezi to the prosecutor’s office. Furthermore, in 2021, the United States barred Berisha and his family from entering the country due to alleged involvement in corrupt activities.

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