SPAK summons Berisha over 21 January killings, former PM demands international prosecutor
Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) has issued a summons for former Prime Minister Sali Berisha as part of its reopened investigation into the 21 January 2011 killings, where four protesters were shot dead during an anti-government demonstration in front of the Prime Minister’s Office.
Why is this important: The move marks the first time Berisha has been formally called in relation to the 21 January case. The incident remains one of the most politically sensitive and unresolved tragedies in Albania’s post-communist history, with SPAK now investigating allegations of “murder under qualifying circumstances,” “abuse of office,” and “obstruction of justice.”
Context: The summons, dated 7 November and signed by prosecutor Alfred Shehu, calls Berisha to appear for questioning on 14 November. He is not yet considered a suspect but is summoned as someone who may clarify the circumstances of the criminal case.
Berisha, now the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, responded by claiming he had not officially received the summons, accusing SPAK of “leaking” the notice to the media first. “I haven’t been served anything. SPAK is acting as a political arm of the government,” he said, while reiterating his long-standing call for an international investigation.
“I’m ready to respond to any summons. I’ve demanded a full investigation and the involvement of international prosecutors,” Berisha stated, blaming Prime Minister Edi Rama for stalling justice since coming to power in 2013.
Legal team disputes notification: Berisha’s lawyer Genc Gjokutaj dismissed the summons as “fake news,” stating that no official notice had been received. “This leak proves again that SPAK is working to a political agenda,” he said.
What’s next: It remains unclear whether Berisha will appear before SPAK next week, but the development could signal further legal pressure as the 21 January case — dormant for over a decade — gains new traction under Albania’s reformed justice system.
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