DP parliamentary leader sued for defamation by former Shkodër police chief

Democratic Party parliamentary leader Gazment Bardhi faces a defamation lawsuit from former Shkodër police chief Edmond Sulaj. In the first court session, Bardhi’s legal team argued that statements made in Parliament about Sulaj were not directed at him personally but at the police force in general. The controversy stems from Bardhi’s September 2024 speech in Parliament, where he cited intercepted communications from the Metamorphosis case, allegedly linking Sulaj to organized crime.

Why it matters: Albanian politicians have long enjoyed impunity for statements and accusations made in Parliament and party platforms. For decades, the justice system simply ignored such cases under an unwritten justification that accusations – however wild and untrue – that were uttered during political arguments or debates were somehow excluded from legal consequences. Politicians often resorted to the vilest of accusations against their opponents and their families, safe from any consequences. However, following the justice reform things have gradually changed. Senior DP representative Ervin Salianji is serving a one-year sentence for false accusation, for fabricating audio recordings to implicate the brother of the former Minister of Interior in drug trafficking. For Bardhi the lawsuit by Sulaj, a career policeman with 28 years of service, comes fast in the heels of a warning by the Prime Minister that he is considering a lawsuit against Bardhi for the public accusations Bardhi has made against the Prime Minister’s brother. Faced with these charges, Bardhi’s legal team is attempting to shift accountability by claiming his comments targeted the police force as an institution rather than Sulaj personally. The case could set a precedent for holding politicians legally accountable for public defamation. Politically speaking, DP has long paid a serious price for these methods.

What did Bardhi’s lawyer say: Bardhi’s lawyer dismissed the claims of defamation, emphasizing his client’s duty to highlight public concerns.

“It is clear that Bardhi was not attempting to spread misinformation. Like other MPs, he is obligated to voice concerns and address allegations brought to his attention. Bardhi never claimed that Sulaj had personal ties to the individuals under investigation but pointed out organized crime’s connection to the State Police. Therefore, Bardhi did not commit the criminal acts of defamation or insult, and we request the court to dismiss the charges and declare him innocent.”

Context: The controversy began in September 2024, when Bardhi presented Sky ECC recordings from the Metamorphosis case in Parliament. These conversations, intercepted in 2021, involved individuals from an organized crime group discussing efforts to appoint someone named “Mondi” as Shkodër’s police director. Bardhi deduced that “Mondi” referred to Edmond Sulaj, who was appointed to the role in October 2023.

Sulaj, however, claims Bardhi’s statements caused significant damage to his career and personal life. According to Sulaj, his two daughters have faced insults on social media and in their workplaces since Bardhi’s allegations. Sulaj’s legal team argued that these defamatory statements not only harmed his 28-year career but also disrupted his family life.

Next steps: The court has scheduled the next hearing for January 21, where Bardhi’s defense will continue to argue against the defamation charges. Meanwhile, this case underscores the broader debate about accountability for public statements by politicians in Albania.