Former Albanian President Ilir Meta was arrested on corruption charges upon his return to Tirana, with his lawyer claiming the arrest was politically motivated. The 55-year-old, who led the country from 2017 to 2022 and now heads the opposition Freedom Party, was stopped by police in black masks on his way back from Kosovo.
Albania has struggled with instability and corruption since the end of communism, hindering its EU accession ambitions. Meta is accused of passive corruption, wealth concealment, and money laundering, but his lawyer alleges these are old allegations resurfacing for political gain before the upcoming national parliamentary elections in April.
Meta’s ex-wife, Monika Kryemadhi, also faces false charges, further indicating a pattern of targeting opposition figures. Last month, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha was indicted for corruption, while party member Ervin Salianji was jailed for filing a false report.
These developments underscore the deep-rooted challenges Albania faces in combatting corruption and upholding the rule of law.
Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2024