Former President to stay in jail as investigation unfolds

Former President Ilir Meta will remain in prison while Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) continues its investigation into him, his wife Monika Kryemadhi, and two associates. After a five-hour hearing, the court upheld the “arrest with prison” measure for Meta, while Kryemadhi and the two associates were ordered to report regularly to authorities.

Why is this important: Meta’s arrest has surprised many with the level of public support for it, contradicting his claims of political persecution. Meta had insisted his 300,000 supporters would prevent his arrest, labeling it a political move by Prime Minister Edi Rama. In contrast to Sali Berisha, another opposition figure facing corruption charges, who has thus far retained the support of his diehard militants, Meta’s almost total lack of public backing—even from his own supporters—suggests growing doubt in his innocence.

Tensions inside and outside the courtroom: The court hearing was tense, with Meta shouting insults and making threats against the prosecutors and judge, including SPAK’s chief prosecutor. Meta also accused Kryemadhi—his ex-wife—of cooperating with SPAK against him. The couple initiated divorce proceedings as soon as they learned of the investigation. Outside the courtroom, Kryemadhi claimed the investigation was biased and offered to serve Meta’s prison time herself, asking the court to release him under a reporting obligation.

Global reactions: Meta’s arrest has drawn international attention. A U.S. State Department spokesperson expressed support for Albania’s judicial reforms and SPAK’s efforts to fight high-level corruption. The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, while in Tirana, avoided commenting on Meta’s case directly but emphasized EU support for Albania’s justice reforms. “We collaborate with Albania on judicial reform, but we do not comment on individual cases,” she said.

Rama avoids addressing former president: Prime Minister Rama, who nominated Meta as president in 2017 after forming a coalition with him in 2013, has stayed silent on the arrest. When asked, Rama reiterated his stance on non-interference in judicial matters.
“Since launching the justice reform, neither I nor my party comment on judicial processes. Once cases conclude, we might offer comments, especially when justice is served on critical societal issues like defamation. But this is purely a matter for the courts,” Rama said.

Meta’s legal battle ahead: SPAK has one year to complete the investigation, with the option to request an extension if needed. Meta will remain in prison throughout the investigation. If convicted of the charges—money laundering, corruption, and failure to declare assets—he could face up to 15 years in prison for money laundering, 7 years for corruption, and 5 years for asset non-disclosure.