Former president and prime minister Berisha investigated for changing laws to favour son-in-law’s investment opportunities
- Albania
Former president and prime minister Berisha investigated for changing laws to favour son-in-law’s investment opportunities
- Case Date(s)
- 12/2020
- Case Updated
- 01/2025
Case Summary
Phase
1st instance procedureOffence
- Bribery of public officials
- Abuse of functions
- Laundering of proceeds of crime
Sector
- Real estate activities
- Construction
Institution
- Prime Minister's Office
Involved people
- Politically exposed
- Yes
- — Abuse of functions
- — Passive corruption of high state officials or local elected
- Politically exposed
- Yes
- — Laundering of proceeds of crime
- — Passive corruption of high state officials or local elected
- Politically exposed
- No
- — Laundering of proceeds of crime
- — Active corruption of high state officials or local elected
- Politically exposed
- No
- — Money Laundering
SPAK started an investigation against the former prime minister and president of Albania, Sali Berisha and his son-in-law and two others of being complicit in committing corruption and of Berisha favouring his son-in-law on the privatisation of the former sports complex Partizani.
Sali Berisha, a former president (1992–1997) and two-term prime minister (2005–2013), is accused of using his political power to benefit his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, in the privatisation of the Partizani sports complex. It is alleged that Berisha started the privatisation of the complex after coming to power in 2005 through a government decision to bypass legal restrictions on military property and other laws, such as the amendment to the law governing property restitution. The SPAK investigation claims that Malltezi benefited €5.4 million from construction-related businesses, allegedly due to the influence of his father-in-law’s changes to the law during his time in office to favour Malltezi, leading to significant financial gains.
The case has had several court decisions including a decision from the special court of first instance for corruption and organised crime (GjKKO) where Berisha was accused of passive corruption and laundering of proceeds of crime. GjKKO gave Berisha and his co-accused, businessman Fatmir Bekteshi, the obligation to appear in front of prosecutors and a ban on leaving the country, while Malltezi was initially given a prison sentence.
The constitutional court that GjKKO should revoke the ban on leaving the country but dismissed the appeal to invalidate a house arrest order previously set by GjKKO. In December 2024, GjKKO decided to lift the house arrest measure against Berisha saying that he posed no risk of evidence tampering as the case had been sent to the court. This decision was withdrawn by the GjKKO appeal court on 3 January 2025 with an obligation for him to appear in front of SPAK twice a month. After the decision to impose house arrest, Berisha sent the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which decided on 7 November 2024 (published on 25 November 2024) that this case should have priority consideration, addressing several questions to the Albanian state. The special prosecutor’s office (SPAK) has processed the criminal investigation (no. 287 of 2020) and officially accused Berisha of accepting bribes as passive corruption committed by high-ranking state officials in collusion with others. Berisha and his son-in-law contest this process, stating that it is a political attack by the current prime minister Edi Rama. This is the first case in Albania’s history that involves such high-level political figures. decided that GjKKO should revoke the ban on leaving the country but dismissed the appeal to invalidate a house arrest order previously set by GjKKO. In December 2024, GjKKO decided to lift the house arrest measure against Berisha saying that he posed no risk of evidence tampering as the case had been sent to the court. This decision was withdrawn by the GjKKO appeal court on 3 January 2025 with an obligation for him to appear in front of SPAK twice a month. After the decision to impose house arrest, Berisha sent the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which decided on 7 November 2024 (published on 25 November 2024) that this case should have priority consideration, addressing several questions to the Albanian state. The special prosecutor’s office (SPAK) has processed the criminal investigation (no. 287 of 2020) and officially accused Berisha of accepting bribes as passive corruption committed by high-ranking state officials in collusion with others. Berisha and his son-in-law contest this process, stating that it is a political attack by the current prime minister Edi Rama. This is the first case in Albania’s history that involves such high-level political figures.
Further details
- JURISDICTION/COURT
Special court of first instance for corruption and organised crime (GjKKO)
- LAWS (ALLEGEDLY) BREACHED
Criminal code, Article 260 – 25 on the criminal action, Passive corruption of high state officials or local elected (complicit)
- UNCOVERING METHOD
Based on the denouncement made by the member of the parliament Taulant Balla
- JUDGE
Irena Gjoka, Flojera Davidhi, Engert Pëllumbi
- DEFENCE COUNSEL
Genc Gjokutaj & Sokol Mëngjesi
SOCIAL HARM ON SDGs
16 Peace, justice and strong institutions
SPAK’s investigation claims that Malltezi benefited by €5.4 million from construction-related businesses, allegedly due to his father-in-law’s influence.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this database. All information is believed to be correct as of 01/2025. Nevertheless, Transparency International cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts.
Additional Material
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Press release Link balkaninsight.com/2024/09/11/albanias-former-pm-berisha-charged-with-corruption/Albania’s Former PM Berisha Charged with Corruption
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Press release Link apnews.com/article/sali-berisha-charged-albania-corruption-money-laundry-0b5b7c3b12a7151ef3f43894f372a8a8Former Albanian prime minister says he’s charged with corruption and money laundering in land deal
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Press release Link apnews.com/article/albania-sali-berisha-corruption-charge-opposition-leader-dd7eb4bee972ccd9805d09f5243b007fAlbania’s former prime minister Sali Berisha is formally charged with corruption
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Press release Link a2news.com/english/shqiperia/kronike/kushtetuesja-rrezon-ankimin-e-berishes-kunder-mases-arrest-ne--i1138107Constitutional Court rejects Berisha's appeal against "house arrest" measure
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Press release Link gjykata.gov.al/gjykata-e-posacme-e-apelit-per-korrupsionin-dhe-krimin-e-organizuar/gjykata-e-posacme-e-apelit-per-korrupsionin-dhe-krimin-e-organizuar/njoftime-p%C3%ABr-median/Court press release
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