Sali Berisha, the former prime minister of Albania and leader of the opposition Democratic Party, has been formally indicted on corruption charges linked to a property deal involving his son-in-law. The indictment, issued by the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption (SPAK), stems from an investigation that began last October. Prosecutors allege that Berisha abused his political position to help expedite the return of land in Tirana, which had been confiscated by the communist regime, to his son-in-law, Jamarbër Malltezi, and other families. The land was then used for the construction of an apartment complex.
Berisha and Malltezi have been accused of passive corruption and money laundering. The prosecution has presented 500 pages of evidence to support the case against them, which includes amendments made during Berisha’s tenure as prime minister that facilitated the privatization of the “Partizani” sports complex, owned by Malltezi.
In response, Berisha has vehemently denied the charges, calling them politically motivated and part of an attempt to undermine his leadership of the Democratic Party. He insists that the case is a set-up, aiming to weaken his political influence.
This case is not Berisha’s first run-in with accusations of corruption. In 2021, the United States imposed sanctions on him for suspected corruption and abuse of power. In 2022, the United Kingdom declared him persona non grata, citing alleged connections to organized crime and corruption, which Berisha also denies. In response to the U.K.’s decision, Berisha has initiated a legal challenge, claiming the accusations against him are unfounded.
Berisha’s legal troubles are tied to his involvement in altering laws relating to property restitution and compensation, which allegedly facilitated the privatization of land that had been seized by the communist regime, including the land where the “Partizani” sports complex was developed. The legal process continues, and Berisha remains under house arrest for violating reporting requirements in December 2024.
This case has further polarized Albanian politics, with Berisha accusing his opponents of weaponizing the justice system against him and his party. The investigation continues as both he and Malltezi face significant legal challenges.
