Former President Meta calls for protests following Court’s rejection of appeal
One day after the Special Appeals Court upheld his detention, Ilir Meta, leader of the Freedom Party and former president, called on his supporters to organize periodic protests in front of the headquarters of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). In a letter read by Freedom Party Secretary-General Tedi Blushi during a leadership meeting, Meta urged peaceful demonstrations to denounce his arrest and alleged selective justice by SPAK.
Why is this important: The call for protests, came a mere two days after the former president called on his supporters not to protest. He alleged that unidentified individuals who had not been authorized by him were planning to protest in front of the Special Court of Appeals. Meta seems to have changed his mind after the Court decided to uphold his detention. He now frames the protests as a battle for justice and a response to what he describes as the misuse of the judiciary by the government. However, despite his calls, his party lacks the ability to sway the justice institutions for whom the Meta case represents a crucial test.
Context: Meta has been in custody since October 21, 2024, following charges of corruption, money laundering, and failure to declare assets. These charges are linked to his time in public office and lobbying contracts signed by his former party, the Socialist Movement for Integration (now the Freedom Party).
Monika Kryemadhi, Meta’s recently divorced wife, is also under investigation. While she has been ordered to appear under judicial supervision, her assets, including two luxury villas, have been frozen. SPAK has alleged that the properties were purchased with unjustified funds.
What’s next: Meta’s Freedom Party has vowed to intensify its opposition to SPAK through public mobilization. These protests could test the strength of Meta’s political base and the opposition’s ability to rally support ahead of the elections. At the same time, the government continues to emphasize the importance of judicial reform in Albania’s path toward European Union membership.
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