Ina Rama tells parliament MP immunity inhibits investigations
TIRANA, June 28 – General Prosecutor Ina Rama has made what is likely her last official report to parliament, expressing concern that the immunity from persecution member of parliament enjoy prevents prosecutors from doing their investigative work.
Ms. Rama was speaking to a parliamentary committee where general prosecutors are required to report annually on crime. She said the institution she leads and prosecutors have increased their independence and professionalism during her term.
The report indicated criminality has increased in the last year.
But Ms. Rama’s core message to the committee related to the need to waiver immunity for state officials.
“Problems during the investigations come from having immunity of officials, particularly in investigating corruption cases, which require an undercover investigation, that is an official investigation without the knowledge of the official,” Ms. Rama said.
The general prosecutor also said that over the past year the number of cases sent to trial increased and the number of cases dismissed for lack of evidence decreased.
According to her report, the rise of criminality in the country was associated with increased effectiveness of the prosecutors.
She expressed dissatisfaction with Ministry of Justice officials, calling interference in the affairs of the investigators, acts beyond the authority and unfounded conclusions on facts.
This may is likely the last report of General Prosecutor Rama to the committee. Members of the coalition government seized the opportunity of the report to emphasize to her that these were the last days of her five-year term in office. The term limit was introduced in amendments to the constitution in 2008. Before then, there was no term limit for the country’s chief prosecutor.
