Trial of former Defense Minister over Gërdec explosion crawls on
The trial of former Defense Minister Fatmir Mediu, accused of abuse of office in the procedures for establishing the ammunition dismantling factory in a military base in Gërdec, where 26 people died in an explosion on March 15, 2008, continues to drag on.
In today’s session, the court decided to postpone the hearing until July 17. Mediu himself described the situation as absurd and seeks a new expert examination to verify the responsibilities of the minister.
Context
Fatmir Mediu was investigated for the Gërdec explosion and was summoned as an accused by the prosecution in the aftermath of the tragedy. However, in March 2009, the High Court unanimously dismissed the criminal case against former Defense Minister after he was elected as a deputy in the new parliamentary legislature, thus gaining immunity from further criminal proceedings.
The reopening of investigations into Gërdec, one of the largest scandals of the Berisha Government, involving 26 fatalities and hundreds injured, was initiated by the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime in October 2023.
Holding those responsible accountable is one of the most serious and challenging tests faced by the new justice institutions established through justice reform.
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