The Court of Appeals in Tirana upheld the one-year prison sentence of Democratic Party MP Ervin Salianji, confirming the lower court’s ruling. Salianji was convicted for making fabricated accusations in the “Babale” case, marking a significant legal action against a sitting MP.

Why this is significant: This is the first time an Albanian MP has been sentenced with a final court decision while in office. It also highlights the first instance of a high-level politician being sentenced for fraudulent reporting.

Context: The “Babale” case unfolded in 2018 when Salianji accused Geron Xhafaj, brother of then-Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj, of drug trafficking. Salianji presented an audio recording featuring a former speedboat driver discussing Xhafaj’s brother’s involvement in drug smuggling. The recording was later revealed as fabricated, intended to discredit the minister and disrupt the government. It was also seen as an attempt to undermine justice reform led by Fatmir Xhafaj, who chaired the Special Commission on Justice Reform. Prosecutors proved that Salianji and his accomplices, including a journalist, created this false narrative, causing a major public stir before the truth was uncovered.

Reactions to the news:

• Salianji’s reaction: Salianji denied the charges, arguing his conviction was politically motivated to silence opposition voices. He described himself as the first political prisoner in 34 years, insisting the evidence against him was fabricated.
• Democratic Party’s response: The Democratic Party (PD) called an urgent meeting to plan its political response. The party is considering its participation in Parliament and has suggested protests against the decision.
• Bardhi’s accusation: Gazmend Bardhi, head of PD’s Parliamentary Group, condemned the ruling as a declaration of war on the Democratic Party. He accused the government of manipulating the judicial process and claimed judges with conflicts of interest were used to target opposition members.
• Prime Minister Edi Rama’s response: Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the verdict, stating that the false accusations targeted the head of the Commission on Justice Reform, a key figure in efforts to build an independent judiciary in Albania. Rama argued that the decision was necessary to uphold the law and combat falsehoods undermining public trust, describing it as a pivotal moment for Albania’s legal system.

What’s next: Salianji plans to appeal the decision further and continue his political activities. He vowed to lead an active campaign, even if from prison, framing the sentence as part of a broader crackdown on opposition ahead of elections. Despite his defiance, the Appeals Court’s final decision means Salianji will lose his mandate as an MP and be ineligible to run or be elected for the next five years.

Next steps for the opposition: The Democratic Party will finalize its response strategy in the coming days. Upcoming meetings will decide their stance against what they see as politically motivated judicial aggression. Options include protests or boycotting Parliament as possible actions.