Judge permanently removed from judicial system for failing to justify wealth

Judge Besnik Hoxha, one of the judges who ruled on the case of the four innocent protesters killed by the Guard of the Republic during the January 21, 2011 protest in front of the Prime Minister’s office, has been permanently removed from the judiciary. The decision was announced by the Special Appeals Panel (KPA), the highest body responsible for vetting prosecutors and judges, which confirmed that Judge Hoxha failed to justify his wealth.

Context

Since 2016, following the constitutional amendments that were approved unanimously approved from Parliament, several new institutions have been established within the judicial system. Two of these are the Independent Qualification Commission (KPK) and the Special Appeals Panel (KPA), which are tasked with assessing both the professional qualifications and the wealth of all judicial personnel.

Since the vetting process began in 2017, nearly half of the prosecutors and judges within the system have been removed for failing to justify or concealing their assets. Among those dismissed were the President of the Constitutional Court and several members of both the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court. Some, conscious that they would fail to justify their assets, resigned to avoid the vetting process. A significant number of these officials are now under criminal investigation by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, leading to the seizure of their properties.

Judge Besnik Hoxha led the panel of three judges in 2013 that acquitted former Republic Guard Commander Ndrea Prendi and guard Agim Llupo in the case concerning the January 21 deaths. The decision sparked outrage at the time.  

With the KPA’s decision to remove him, Hoxha becomes the tenth of the eleven judges who handled the killings of January 21 to be permanently removed from the judiciary.

Fate of the January 21 Judges

• First Instance Panel (February 8, 2013)
  1. Besnik Hoxha – Dismissed
  2. Ardiana Bera – Under vetting verification
  3. Ariana Caco – Dismissed
• Appeals Panel (considered the deaths as unintentional)
  1. Agim Bendo – Resigned from the judiciary and fell ill before facing vetting.
  2. Ervin Metalla – Dismissed at both vetting stages for asset concealment and unjust benefit from a soft loan.
  3. Evjeni Sinojmeri – Dismissed by the Vetting Commission for asset concealment.
• Supreme Court Panel (upheld the Appeals Panel decision)
  1. Edmond Islamaj – Dismissed by KPA for asset issues.
  2. Artan Zeneli – Dismissed at both vetting stages for asset issues.
  3. Shkëlzen Selimi – Dismissed from office for inappropriate contact with crime.
  4. Aleksandër Muskaj – Removed from the judiciary
  5. Guxim Zeneli – Removed from the judiciary