Albanian PM vows legal action after SPAK investigation clears his brother 

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced his intention to file a criminal complaint against Democratic Party parliamentary leader Gazment Bardhi for false accusations. This follows the conclusion of investigations by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), which declared there is no evidence or facts linking Rama’s brother, Olsi Rama of involvement in the so-called Xibraka case of cocaine trafficking, Bardhi accused him of.

Why is this important: False accusations against political opponents have long been used in Albanian politics. Over the decades they have been one of the favorite instruments of Sali Berisha and his Democratic Party. In this they have been helped by the fact that for most of Albania’s post-communist transition the justice system preferred to remain indifferent to such accusations, tacitly recognizing them as part and parcel of politics. in his address, Rama criticized what he called “Sali Berisha’s low-moral model,” which he claimed involves personal attacks against the families of political opponents. Rama addressed decades of accusations leveled at him and his family, including fabricated stories about his personal life, psychological state, and alleged criminal activities.

What did Rama say: The Prime Minister highlighted that such allegations by DP are often supported by forged documents and baseless claims, noting that Bardhi could face legal consequences similar to those of Democratic Party representative Ervin Salianji, who is currently serving time for filing a false complaint against a former Interior Minister. Salianji and his co-conspirators went so far as to fabricate audio-recordings that would implicate the brother of the minister in drug trafficking. Referring to Bardhi’s accusations against his brother as the “Second Babale,” Rama declared that “now that the full investigation is complete and the circumstances of the false accusations have been laid bare, my lawyers will pursue legal action for this criminal offense, as it deserves.”

He also directly addressed some of the most flagrant accusations levelled at him by his DP opponents over the years:

·       They’ve called me homosexual, bisexual, transsexual. But no, God made me heterosexual, and I’ve never felt the need to question how He decides these things.

·       …They’ve called me a drug user.

·       …They’ve called me a criminal. But no, I’ve never committed a crime. My hands are clean—no blood, no drugs, no dirty money, no physical assaults, and no threats against political or media opponents.”

Context: The Prime Minister contrasted his political and governance approach with that of Berisha, highlighting the irony of how their political paths cross in the “Partizani Club.” Rama’s brother, Olsi Rama, currently serves as president of the Partizani sports club, the very same club Berisha is accused of having privatized in a corrupt manner to benefit his son-in-law. 

“The irony of fate, in this case, is that the term ‘Partizani Club’ serves as a clear mirror on which you can see the two worlds separating me from my opponents. It reflects the fundamental differences in how we view state, power, and governance. For me, I am merely the custodian of this office, entrusted by the Albanian people. For them, power is a personal possession.”

Bardhi’s reaction: Gazment Bardhi responded by accusing SPAK of conducting superficial investigations and claimed that the Special Structure serves the ruling government rather than the law.

“Only a prosecution office where members are preselected to serve power, not justice, could publish such a ridiculous and scandalous announcement aimed at ‘cleansing’ Olsi Rama from the Xibraka case.”

Bardhi also posed questions regarding the quality of the investigation and alleged that public pressure from the Prime Minister influenced the process.

Next steps: Rama urged citizens to reject “the politics of filth,” calling on voters to close the door on such figures in the next parliamentary elections. “They are not political alternatives for the 21st century. Shut them out, starting with the door to the next parliament.”