The Head of the Albanian Police was suspended and two high level officials of the same institution were put under home arrest after the prosecutor’s office receive the green light of the court to deepen its investigation over the famous wiretapping device. This device given formally as part of a training program for the police from Italy is suspected to have been mishandled when entering Albania (without proper permit and documenting procedures) and potentially used for illegally gathering information via phone tapping.
The suspension of Police Director and the high profile arrest come at a very charged moment in Albania, in the make-or-break days of decision about the justice reform, where political actors are repeatedly failing to reach an accord on the issue. The device case is a turning moment for all those involved in it: no matter the result of the investigation it will shed substantial light on the behavior of key political actors in the stage.
It is paramount to clear once and for all the real use of this device and have the judicial stamp of transparency over this issue.
This is a grave moment which requires a cool headed, professional and very serious approach on the side of all actors involved. The first step towards this is to show patience, restraint and no matter how difficult it may be a basic trust to the investigation process.
The Prime Minister of the country does not have to apologize to the Italian partners because the general prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation. It is the legitimate and right and proper responsibility of this office to investigate professionally the use of this device for all the implications this issue has. Any explanations deemed necessary can be made through diplomatic channels. Public declarations trying to involve European partners into a domestic clash should be avoided. Self-restraint is key to the management of this situation from the executive’s side.
Although this debate is carried under the heavy weight and influence of all the surrounding justice reform concert: the domestic shame and blame rhetoric, the urgency of the international community and the media frenzy; the case of the device is weighty enough to require a separation from it. While it is right and just from the Ministry of Interior Affairs to have the back of their staff for believing in their integrity, the additional reactions are out of place. Accusing the prosecutor office, which despite the ongoing debate about the reform, remains one of the key actors in the justice system, still a sine qua non representative of the Albanian state, that they are engaged in exacerbating the political fight is a very heavy blow. This is the second police director that loses his office in one mandate, therefore the reputation of the Ministry is at a vulnerably thin line, requiring the most careful and serious stance from them.
The opposition also should refrain from blowing this out of proportion and try to entangle the investigation for political purposes such as requiring the resignation of the Minister of Interior Affairs.The prosecutors say they are not investigating him for there is no clue that this is necessary at this stage.
The opposition should rest assured that if its claims and accusations are proved to be purposefully wrong it will have to pay a heavy cost with both the domestic and international public.
The prosecutor’s office is ultimately under close scrutiny and heavy responsibility to deliver a professional, complete and unbiased investigation on this issue. Given the sensitivity of the allegations, the investigation should be, within the reasonable limits, as quick and efficient as possible in order to avoid potential political boil-overs. Because they should be clear on one thing: whatever this is, legitimate inquiry or dirty scheming, it has reached the boiling point.
