Former Albanian President Ilir Meta has been detained by police on corruption charges, sparking controversy over the motives behind his arrest. Meta, who led the country from 2017-2022 and now heads the opposition Freedom Party, was stopped by police in black masks while returning to Tirana from Kosovo.
The police claim they had to use force to detain him, but Meta’s lawyer has denounced the arrest as politically motivated. He is accused of passive corruption, failing to declare wealth, and money laundering, which Meta denies as a political move ahead of the upcoming election.
Albania, known for its political instability and corruption, has struggled to combat graft and join the EU. Meta’s detention is seen as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, with other politicians facing similar charges.
The Freedom Party has condemned Meta’s arrest and is expecting street protests in response. While some see the arrest as a step towards justice, others view it as a politically charged attack on dissenting voices in the country.