The Greek newspaper "Ta Nea" and other media outlets in the neighboring country have shed light on the arrest in Greece of the Chairwoman of the High Judicial Council for the Prosecution of Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), Irena Gjoka (Maneku), and her use of the alias "Shpata."
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| Screenshot of the Greek newspaper "Ta Nea", March 5, 2024 |
In a detailed article, it is revealed that she was arrested in Greece for using forged documents, falsely claiming Greek origin, resulting in her being banned from Schengen countries for 12 years.
Greek media reports that Irena Gjoka-Maneku-Shpata attempted to enter Greece on December 24, 2002, along with her husband from the Kakavija border point using a forged consular visa in terms of validity period.
"At that time, people from Northern Epirus were issued consular visas for 100 days, while Albanians for up to 90 days. If someone had a 100-day consular visa, they could obtain a Special Emigrant Identity Card (EDTO) in Greece. She had falsified the duration of the consular visa's validity to appear as 100 days, trying to indicate that she was from Northern Epirus. Together with her husband at the time, they appealed to an administrative court in Greece, but their request was denied," the article states.
The Full Article:
The trial of the elected mayor of Himarë, who has been in pre-trial detention since the eve of elections in Albania in May 2023, Fredi Beleri, has turned into a diplomatic game between Athens and Tirana.
A case that Athens has linked to Albania's European path and has been the target of criticism from other EU member states.
In addition to the ongoing diplomatic game, the composition of the court is interesting, especially the history of the three judges who judged Beleri.
The Judge
The history of Irena Shpata, the daughter of Hekurani and Dallandyshe, born on February 15, 1970. Irena Shpata, who has been using her current husband's surname (second one) Gjoka since 2011. According to the data, she has "open accounts" with Greece.
Arrest
According to testimonies, in the past, Irena Shpata was arrested in Greece for using false documents to try to prove she was of Greek origin.
For this reason, she was banned from entering Schengen countries for 12 years, and her data along with fingerprints were registered in the respective database.
Forgery
More specifically, Irena Gjoka-Maneku-Shpata, along with her first husband who carried the surname Maneku, attempted to enter Greece on December 24, 2002, from the Kakavija border point using a forged consular visa in terms of validity period.
At that time, people from Northern Epirus were issued consular visas for 100 days, while Albanians for up to 90 days. If someone had a 100-day consular visa, they could obtain a Special Emigrant Identity Card (EDTO) in Greece.
She had falsified the duration of the consular visa's validity to appear as 100 days, trying to indicate that she was from Northern Epirus.
Together with her husband at the time, they appealed to an administrative court in Greece, but their request was denied.
Entry into the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime
In 2019, Irena Shpata-Gjoka applied for membership in the anti-corruption court GJKKO. The court currently judging Beleri.
The appointments had to be approved in principle by the International Monitoring Operation (known in Albanian as OMN), which consisted of foreigners.
This committee found that Irena Shpata-Gjoka had committed forgery and also had a problem with "knowing where you belong" and removed her from the position.
However, she later returned, after appealing the decision of the International Qualifications Evaluation Independent Commission (which is Albanian) and after the commission accepted her, considering that everything was in order.
Prejudice
Based on this development, Irena Shpata-Gjoka is, according to many followers of the case, controlled by Rama because she owes gratitude for placing her in this position despite the forgery.
At the same time, according to the same sources, it can be said that she is negatively biased against Greece and the minority mayor Beleri.
It is worth noting that the trial of Fredi Beleri is scheduled to continue on Tuesday, March 5, with his statement and the conclusion of the process.
Following this article, the High Judicial Council reacted through a statement, condemning the attacks on Judge Irena Gjoka. Below is the full statement of the HJC.
The High Judicial Council, as the body mandated by the Constitution to guarantee the independence, responsibility, and proper functioning of the judiciary, has closely followed recent developments regarding public statements in the media by public figures and their defenders in criminal proceedings, which in their content seriously damage the figure and dignity of Mrs. Irena Gjoka, a judge at the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime.
The Council regrets that these repeated public statements in the media constitute an attack on judges because of their duty, aiming to compromise the independence of the judiciary through media persecution.
At the same time, the High Judicial Council assesses that these positions not only negatively affect public trust in the judiciary but also create a wrong image of the activity of judges during the exercise of their duties with the aim of forcing them to make decisions contrary to the principles of independence and impartiality.
Furthermore, the High Judicial Council emphasizes that lawyers, in accordance with the law and the professional code of ethics, should behave with respect, honesty, and integrity towards the court, in the function of representing the interests of their clients.
The High Judicial Council calls on all actors to respect judges and their commitment to strengthening the rule of law, as the administration of justice must be free from any kind of influence or intervention by public or private entities.
In compliance with the current legal provisions, we bring to attention that the legal means to challenge a judicial decision is the appeal to a higher court.