Thursday’s decisive showdown: Ilir Meta seeks release from pre-trial detention

The Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Court (GJKKO) has set August 8th at 10:00 AM for the review of former President Ilir Meta’s request to replace his pre-trial detention (“arrest in prison”) with a less severe security measure.

The request was submitted by his lawyers on August 6th, arguing that the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has completed its investigations and, according to them, there is no longer procedural basis for holding Meta in pre-trial detention.

Meta was recently indicted on several corruption-related charges, specifically accused of:

* involvement in the CEZ-DIA affair,

* receiving monetary benefits in exchange for influence related to a telecommunications company,

* corrupt relations with a businessman,

* lobbying contracts in the USA,

* money laundering, and

* failure to declare medical expenses during the period 2013–2019.

SPO has filed similar charges against MP Monika Kryemadhi and former head of EPCA, Pirro Xhixho. Unlike Meta, they are being investigated while free.

Meta’s lawyer, Kujtim Cakrani, stated that no new evidence was presented upon conclusion of the investigations, and the defense will seek a regular trial instead of a shortened procedure.

“KORÇA BOOM”