Albanian court began a trial against former Prime Minister Sali Berisha on corruption. Berisha leads the opposition Democratic Party.

The 80 -year -old Berisha trial at the Special Court of Corruption and Organized Crime, covering cases involving senior officials and politicians, It also includes his groom and three other people.

In October 2023, prosecutors investigated Berisha for alleged abuse of his position to help his groom, Jamarber Maltese, to privatize public land for the construction of 17 apartment buildings in the capital, Tirana.

In September 2024, Berisha was officially accused of corruption in relation to a real estate agreement. Denied the accusations, characterizing them as policy prosecution ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama of the leftist socialist party.

On Monday, Berisha was presented to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as required to do every two weeks, but said he did not go to court where he was represented by his lawyers.

“My presence or not is determined by my lawyers and of course in accordance with the laws”, told reporters. “This is a meeting where my lawyers will present their positions.”

Berisha served as prime minister from 2005 to 2013 and president from 1992 to 1997. He was re -elected a member of the Central Conservative Democratic Party in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The United States government in May 2021 and the United Kingdom in July 2022 banned Berisha, and close members of his family, entry into their countries because of its alleged involvement in corruption.

Corruption remains a leading issue that constantly negatively affects Albania since the fall of the Communist regime in 1990.

In addition to Berisha, Former President Ilir Meta and members of the Berisha opposition coalition have also been arrested and investigated for corruption categories. Both say the accusations are politically motivated, accusing the government of corruption.

In October last year, Tirana began negotiations for full integration with Brussels to align the European Union with regard to the rule of law, the functioning of democratic institutions and the fight against corruption. Albania aims to join the block by 2030, according to Rama.