Former President Ilir Meta and former wife Monika Kryemadhi officially indicted by SPAK for corruption and money laundering

The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) has formally charged Ilir Meta and Monika Kryemadhi in connection with the CEZ-DIA scandal, undisclosed U.S. lobbying contracts, and allegations of illicit asset accumulation. The decision follows nearly six years of investigation into the couple’s activities.

Why this is important: Ilir Meta is one of Albania’s longest-serving and most powerful politicians, having held the offices of Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament, and President. His indictment—alongside that of his former wife and political ally Kryemadhi—marks one of the highest-profile cases in Albania’s anti-corruption efforts.

Context: Meta and Kryemadhi, both central figures in the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), now the Party of Freedom, are facing charges of corruption, money laundering, and failure to declare assets. Kryemadhi was notified during a two-hour session at SPAK, while Meta remains in pretrial detention since October 21, 2024.

The charges stem from multiple high-level abuses of public office, ranging from a €6.5 million energy deal to undisclosed lobbying contracts in the U.S. and suspicious property acquisitions.

·       CEZ-DIA deal: As Minister of Energy, Meta allegedly approved a contract to the company DIA in violation of legal procedures, in exchange for significant cash payments.

·       Telecom scandal: In 2014, Meta and Kryemadhi allegedly influenced state institutions and telecom operators to favor a foreign company entering the fiber optics market. SPAK says they received financial benefits including undeclared credit cards and direct payments.

·       AKEP and UNIFI Contract: Pirro Xhixho, then head of the telecom authority and father of a party MP, is accused of using his position to push a favorable contract at Meta’s request. The company was allegedly allowed to operate outside the legal framework.

·       U.S. lobbying contracts: Between 2016 and 2017, Meta reportedly signed lobbying deals with two U.S. firms. SPAK alleges that at least $463,000 was paid under the table and not reported to the Central Election Commission.

·       Undeclared real estate: A €310,000 apartment in Tirana, registered under Kryemadhi’s mother’s name, was allegedly bought with cash from illicit sources. A loan was reportedly used as cover for the real origin of the funds.

·       Medical Expenses: The couple is also accused of failing to declare €106,000 in private medical expenses between 2013–2019, €86,000 of which was paid in cash.

Meta’s response: In a public post from prison, Ilir Meta dismissed the charges as politically motivated. He described SPAK as a tool of Prime Minister Edi Rama and claimed the investigation was timed to divert attention from electoral irregularities.

Meta labeled the case a “a farcical investigation” and promised to confront all accusations in court, accusing SPAK of fabricating charges to serve political goals. He referred to his arrest as a “criminal abduction” and accused prosecutors of being “mercenaries” acting under government orders.

What’s next: The indictment clears the way for the case to move to trial. It marks a pivotal test for Albania’s justice reform, as SPAK pursues its most politically sensitive case to date.