The President of the Freedom Party, Ilir Meta, has leveled accusations against SPAK during today's court session at the GJKKO. In his testimony revealed inside the courtroom, Meta appeared outraged, describing the process against him as completely politicized and based on manipulations.
Meta accused prosecutors of keeping hidden the letters of recommendation from the United States that specified lobbying invoices with the "McKeon Group", while he again focused on the manner in which he was arrested on October 21, calling it an "official kidnapping".
The former President stated before the jury that he was deceived with lobbying figures in the US, attempting to create a scandal at the expense of public opinion.
"I am very outraged, honorable judges and prosecutors, because in addition to many repeated lies, I heard something shocking. I was kidnapped on October 21 at 12:08 by unknown persons and only at 14:06 was the SPAK prosecutors' order communicated to me. Since I was asked about this issue, I have made it clear that we only had one payment of 15 thousand USD, by decision of the presidency and by bank. In September, they received a letter of request for 'McKeon' as if illegal meetings and payments had been made. But after I was arrested, on November 15, another response came from the US, a clarification! The gentlemen not only did not inform me, but they kept it hidden and in January they asked me again about the same thing," Meta declared.
Focusing on lobbying documents registered in the US under the FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) logo, Meta explained that they do not constitute incriminating evidence and that his name does not appear in any contract.
"FARA is simply a portal where thousands of companies publish data for transparency, but it is neither a court nor a prosecutor. There is no signature of Ilir Meta in the agreement with GSIS! The agreement is between the LSI and GSIS. You, Mr. Kllapi, knew from the beginning that only 15 thousand dollars were paid. You received something else in September and something else in November, you kept it secret and asked me again in January. There is a clear tendency to politicize the process. When you don't have facts, you will make it political!"
Further, Ilir Meta accused prosecutors of hiding key evidence provided years ago that refuted the current charges, also focusing on the sharing of responsibilities with his ex-wife, Monika Kryemadhi.
"The prosecution has hidden the testimony given to Ndini Tavani in 2011 by Hejsek, where he makes it clear that he did not remember the specific name. Even the issue with 200 thousand euros is done only to manipulate public opinion, there is no answer. Also, I must clarify that the head of AKEP is elected by the Parliament and the Prime Minister, who was Edi Rama. Political parties do not propose him. I am here to take responsibility for each of my individual actions, I am neither here to take nor to give. I take responsibility for mine, Mrs. Kryemadhi does not have to take responsibility for CEZ-DIA," Meta concluded before the GJKKO panel.
