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| Ervin Salianji speaking to media after the verdict against him |
In its ruling, the court sentenced today Albert Veliu to 3 years and 5 months in prison, the man who admitted confessing to wiretapping.
Two years in prison were given for Fredi Alizotti, who turned out to be the man who had been masked as Geron Xhafaj, the former minister's brother, in a conversation with Veliu.
While the journalist Jetmir Olldashi, who had given Veliu the surveillance device, was sentenced to six months in prison but will be converted to 100 hours of public service work.
According to investigations, the former deputy Salianji was involved in creating false evidence to politically harm Mr. Fatmir Xhafaj, by the time acting as the interior minister.
As in the prosecution's hearing, there were many former Democratic lawmakers in the room today. The number two of the Democratic Party, Gazmend Bardhi, spoke of a political decision, according to him, aimed at silencing the opposition.
Mr. Salianji also accused the trial judge Artan Germainji of being linked to criminal gangs. He said the verdict was unfounded in evidence and that the process had clear violations in the context of the law.