Berisha’s SPAK appearance sparks protest and questions

Sali Berisha appeared for the first time before the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) today, fulfilling a court-mandated obligation to report twice a month. He arrived accompanied by a small group of supporters protesting outside its headquarters, a scene that has become characteristic of his appearances since charges were first raised. Adding to the spectacle, Berisha brought a podium to deliver a speech outside SPAK, where he launched sharp accusations against the SPAK leadership and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Berisha read out alleged wiretap materials from the Sky ECC platform, claiming they implicated Taulant Balla, a senior figure in the Socialist Party. Berisha alleged that in 2020, while serving as the Socialist Party’s political leader in Elbasan, Balla had communications with a criminal gang led by Suel Çela. According to Berisha, these communications guaranteed the arrest of rival gang members in exchange for votes in the 2021 parliamentary elections. SPAK has not commented on the validity of these claims.

Why is this important: Sali Berisha’s appearance before SPAK has once again placed Albania’s justice system under scrutiny. His accusations demand an urgent and transparent response from SPAK. If the allegations are false, SPAK must address the implications of one of its accused individuals using public platforms to attack the institution, intimidate prosecutors, and potentially influence witnesses.

If the allegations are true, SPAK must tell the public what it is doing about them? It must also clarify how such sensitive information leaked and investigate how it ended up in Berisha’s possession. The situation highlights critical concerns about SPAK’s ability to safeguard the integrity of its investigations while dealing with high-profile figures like Berisha.

Context: Berisha’s accusations are not new. He has frequently criticized SPAK’s leadership, referring to its chief Altin Dumani and his predecessor Arben Kraja as collaborators with political forces.

Berisha is accused of facilitating the privatization of the state-owned ‘Partizani’ sports complex, which was subsequently developed into a residential area with 19 towers. SPAK alleges that Berisha’s son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, and his associates, benefited from the privatization.

Berisha has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the charges were politically motivated. He has likened his situation to that of former U.S. President Donald Trump, arguing that the accusations are part of a campaign to damage him politically ahead of elections.

Questions for SPAK: Berisha’s claims place SPAK in a challenging position. If the allegations he has raised are untrue, SPAK must refute them decisively to maintain its credibility. If they hold any truth, SPAK must address them transparently and investigate how Berisha obtained sensitive materials from the Sky ECC platform. Above all, it must explain what it was doing with the information contained in the wiretaps. 

Observers have also pointed to perceived inconsistencies in SPAK’s approach. Critics highlight its overzealous investigations into figures like Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj while questioning its perceived hesitance to address high-profile cases like the Gërdec explosion or the January 21 killings, both of which implicate Berisha. 26 people died in the Gërdec explosion in which Berisha’s son was allegedly involved, while in January 21^st the Guard of the Republic shot and killed four innocent people in a protest against Berisha.