Journalist Klodiana Lala has raised doubts about a recent initiative by the Supreme Court regarding the issue of pre-trial detention, describing it as an attempt that could favor the release of senior officials from prison. Invited to the show "This Week" on News24, Lala said that a decision is expected within 10 days from the Joint Colleges of the Supreme Court, set in motion by the head of this institution, Sokol Sadushi. She emphasized that this is a sensitive issue related to security measures and detention.
According to her, the new decision is expected to review a precedent from 2011, providing guidance to lower courts regarding the assignment of security measures for various criminal offenses. Lala recalled that in recent years there has been an increase in pre-trial detention cases, especially after legal changes that criminalized a number of violations. The journalist raised concerns that this initiative comes at a time when SPAK has several high-level officials under investigation and in pre-trial detention, hinting that there may be attempts to ease their position.
She also mentioned previous problems with the supervision of people under house arrest, such as the case of electronic bracelets that, according to her, did not function properly.
In this context, Lala emphasized that some well-known names such as Erion Veliaj, Ilir Beqaj and Ilir Meta may request the easing of security measures, linking it to their public profile. However, she emphasized that decision-making remains in the hands of the courts, which must issue decisions based on the law and evidence, avoiding any political influence. In conclusion, Lala described the initiative as questionable in timing and purpose, calling for a broader and more transparent debate on the issue of pre-trial detention in Albania.
"This is a sensitive issue, and within 10 days we will have a decision of the Joint Colleges of the Supreme Court. They were set in motion by the head of the Supreme Court, Sokol Sadushi, on the issue of pre-trial detention. It was a decision of 2011, where the joint Colleges themselves had made that decision. It is not about small colleges, but with the participation of the entire Supreme Court. They are orienting decisions for lower courts, but not binding. The assignment of security measures for each criminal offense was a great concern. In 2013, when the Socialist Party came to power, due to some initiatives, such as energy or construction without a permit or driving without a license, association was criminalized. So there were arrests of these types. A suspect for a criminal offense for possession of cannabis was arrested in Lezha and held in prison. Later, the Appeals Court released him at home. But the Prosecution is demanding prison. I think this initiative was taken now because SPAK is holding in prison some senior officials. This initiative is for the purpose of releasing senior officials. A few years ago I dealt with the electronic bracelet scandal. How will they be supervised if they do not work, when we take someone from prison to house arrest. There are two moments, on the one hand the issue of pre-trial detentions should be discussed, but not with initiatives that are initiated for the sake of benefits from the SP. It is an issue that should be discussed widely. There are several senior officials who have a chance of being released (The question is whether or not Veliaj will benefit from the release). Mr. Berisha makes his opposition. The case of Veliaj, Beqaj, Meta, they want to link the security measure to personality. The court should make a model decision. But by saying that we are not in these duties, then they will use the fact that; we will not destroy the evidence. But no matter how hard they try, they will not succeed if we have a good judge. The initiative is questionable as to why it was made, and it is mainly related to senior officials. she said.
