Embassy of the United States in Tirana has reacted against a statement made today in parliament by former Prime Minister Sali Berisha. Berisha pretended the involvement of the Minister of Defence's sister, who works at OPDAT, - an office for law assistance at the U.S. Embassy - in arresting Syrja Gjoka general.
Embassy states that is scandalized by this claim and asks Berisha to reflect on his behavior.
"The U.S. Embassy in Tirana is scandalized about an unfounded claim filed against an employee of the embassy earlier today by Mr. Sali Berisha, during a parliament session. Mr. Berisha claimed that the Albanian embassy employee had tried to intervene in an ongoing criminal investigation issue, simply on the basis of the embassy employee relationship with a member of the Council of Ministers. The allegation is totally false and baseless. The U.S. Embassy insists on the highest level of integrity and accountability of each member of our mission. The U.S. Embassy urges Mr. Berisha to reflect on his behavior," is written on the response.
During the discussions in the General Assembly on the arrest Rybak general, Berisha said that Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli, has used her sister to blackmail prosecutors. "She sent her sister on behalf of OPDAT, meanwhile she is simply un employee of U.S Embassy, by blackmailing prosecutors and not only one of them, but two, that Syrja Gjoka must be "hanged", otherwise you are going to lose," Berisha stated.