TIRANA, April 20 – The Independent Qualification Commission (IQC) dismissed Shkodra Court of Appeals Prosecutor Besa Nikà«hasani from office on Friday for being unable to justify her wealth under the justice reform vetting process.
After conducting verifications, the IQC ruled Nikà«hasani’s prosecutor income cannot justify “two apartments, two garages and a SUV-type vehicle worth around €20,000.”
Local media reported the apartments are located in Tirana and Lezha respectively.
A defiant and angry Nikà«hasani told the media she had worked with honesty and threats against her life. She added bought the apartments by selling property that belonged to her husband and changed her car due to being the target of an explosive attack and several minor accidents.
She added she had declared her apartment in Lezha since 2004 and that the commission’s decision was wrong as she’s never broken the law.
“For 14 years I’ve been going between Tirana and Shkodra representing the state for 43 homicides each year, I’ve committed to work more than my family,” she said.
Nikà«hasani marks the first prosecutor to join the ranks of judges dismissed from office under the country’s judiciary reform in the context of its bid to join the EU. Only one judge has so far successfully passed the wealth verification examination.
