TIRANA, Dec. 26 – The Albanian authorities have been ordered by the Strasbourg court to pay 335.700 Euros to Vlash Marini, an Albanian of American origin, for not following existing laws when he launched a business in Albania.
Marini had received permission in 1991 to open a business, owned jointly with the Albanian government. After he had spent 60 percent of his investment on machinery for the business the next government, in 1993, cancelled the contract and he entered a long battle to have his case heard in the courts.
Albanian authorities were also ordered to pay 5,700 Euros for his case at the Strasbourg court.
The Strasbourg Court has had some 200 cases filed by Albanians against their government, which is expected to increase significantly next year.
If the government chooses not to respect the court verdicts, it may have political consequences.
