 |
| Ervin Salianji |
For the former MP Ervin Salianji, the charge demanded a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison converted to probation of 3 years. The suspension of Salianjin's sentence was requested only by prosecutor Genci Qana, not by the prosecutor Kolë Hyseni.
Albert Veliu, otherwise called 'Babale', charged with "false lawsuit" and "illegal border crossing", was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison, Fred Alizot to 3 years in prison, and the journalist Jetmir Olldashi 1 year in prison or 200 hours of public work.
The 'Babale' case began a year ago after video surveillance posted by the Democratic Party (DP) headquarters. In this video surveillance the citizen Albert Veliu, also known as Babale, allegedly spoke with the brother of former Interior Minister Fatmir Xhafaj on drug trafficking issues in the city of Vlora.
Immediately following the Prosecutor's Office's reception for the former Democratic deputy Ervin Salianji, the Democrat leader Lulzim Basha has reacted. Through a status on his Facebook page, the DP leader accuses Prime Minister Edi Rama of bringing political trials to Albania 30 years after the fall of communism.
According to Basha, the presence of two corrupt prosecutors is predetermined by Edi Rama the day after the scandal is published.
"No one will ever be able to silence Ervin Saliani and no political representative of the Democratic Party. Our battle with organized crime and denouncing organized crime links with the Government of Edi Rama and his servants' in the justice system will not stop,” Basha wrote on Facebook.