Former president’s appeal rejected by High Court, eyes Strasbourg for legal battle
The High Court of Albania has rejected the appeal of former President Ilir Meta, currently leader of the Freedom Party, who had sought to be released from pretrial detention. Meta has been behind bars for four months and argued that his detention is unfair, especially as Albania approaches the May 11 elections and he leads the second-largest opposition force in the country.
Why is this important: The Strasbourg Court’s recent ruling in favor of former RTSH director Thoma Gëllçi, where it declared his arrest and pretrial detention unjustified and unlawful, has triggered an intense public and political debate in Albania. Prime Minister Edi Rama has raised concerns about SPAK’s use of pretrial detention, particularly following the arrest of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, who remains under investigation but has not yet been formally indicted. Rama argues that detaining individuals while investigations are still ongoing is problematic, and if Strasbourg later overturns such decisions it could damage Albania’s credibility in EU accession talks by highlighting human rights violations and disregard for the presumption of innocence.
Context: Despite the ruling, Meta remained defiant, calling it a “good day” since, in his view, another “fictional obstacle” had been cleared, allowing him to move faster toward the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, where he plans to challenge his detention as unlawful. Meta delivered an audio message from prison, attacking Albania’s judicial system and branding his fight as one against what he calls a “narco-regime.”
“Make Albania Great Forever. This is our pledge, this is our commitment for May 11—the historic day when we will break free from the narco-regime and its narco-justice. Today, in the ‘Meta case,’ we took a positive step forward, as we cleared yet another fictional obstacle— the Supreme Court, which does not exist—so we can move faster toward the Strasbourg Court.”
What’s next: Meta is now expected to take his legal battle to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that his detention violates due process and fundamental rights. If the court rules in his favor, it could deal a significant blow to SPAK and raise further questions about Albania’s judicial independence.
For now, Albania’s political and legal systems remain on edge, as the debate over pretrial detention, human rights, and judicial accountability intensifies in the run-up to May’s elections.
Go deeper
Albania to ban TikTok for one year starting next week
Published on March 6, 2025
Why is this important: The ban follows consultations with parents’ councils, prompted by the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old student at Fan Noli School, a conflict that began on social media. Albania joins a list of other countries that have partially or totally banned TikTok or other social media platforms in certain cases.
Deadline closes for Albanian diaspora voter registration, 294,155 applications submitted
Published on March 6, 2025
Why is this important: This is the first time Albanian emigrants will vote from the countries where they live and work. Registered voters come from 107 countries, and the ballots will be sent via an international postal service, which the KQZ has yet to select. The online registration process closed at midnight, finalizing the 294,155 applications submitted by diaspora voters.
SPAK placed Constitutional Court judge under surveillance without formal investigation
Published on March 6, 2025
Why is this important: The surveillance of a Constitutional Court judge without any formal charges or investigation raises serious concerns about judicial independence and due process. SPAK’s actions bypass legal safeguards, setting a dangerous precedent where judges can be monitored based on vague suspicions rather than concrete evidence. This case highlights growing fears of prosecutorial overreach, undermining trust in the justice system and threatening constitutional separation of powers.