Former president on trial in Albania over corruption charges — Euractiv
The trial of former Albanian President Ilir Meta, one of the main political opponents of current Prime Minister Edi Rama, began on Monday in Albania. The former president is charged with corruption and money laundering.
This was reported by Euractiv.
Meta is accused of passive corruption, money laundering, and falsely declaring assets during his tenure in high-ranking government positions since 2010, when he headed the Ministry of Economy.
The politician’s ex-wife and his former mother-in-law are also defendants in this case.
Meta has been in custody since his arrest in October 2024, when he returned to Albania from Kosovo. The politician denies the charges against him, calling them “purely political.”
When the trial began, Meta requested that the proceedings be broadcast live.
“Out of respect for the citizens whom I have served faithfully, I publicly request that the special court ensure a live broadcast of this entire trial,” he said.
The next hearing in the former president’s case is scheduled for May 11.
Meta, once an ally of Prime Minister Rama, has held some of the highest offices in the country since the fall of communism in 1991.
A series of corruption cases involving politicians from various parties is currently being heard in Albania. The trial of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha is ongoing.
Albania’s prime minister is urging Europe to resume dialogue with Russia.
As a reminder, on April 23, EU countries approved the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which imposes restrictions on 46 vessels of the “shadow fleet” and 60 entities supporting the Russian military-industrial complex. The new measures include stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and sanctions against 20 credit and financial institutions.
Ukraineand a number of other countries supported the new EU sanctions against Russia.
