Gerdec families looking for ex-minister to be accused

TIRANA, Oct. 25 – The families of the dead victims killed by explosions at an ammunition depot in Gerdec two years ago have asked the General Prosecution last week to strip Environment Minister Fatmir Mediu of his immunity and start investigating his responsibility for the incident.
This marks the third time the families are making this request. The first two failed to result in any legal procedures.
Mediu was defense minister in March 2008, when the explosions hit the ammunition dismantling depot in Gerdec, 12km outside of Tirana. In all, 26 people were killed and 300 were injured.
On March 15, 2008, a series of explosions at an ammunition disposal factory in Gerdec, near Tirana, injured 302 people and destroyed or damaged 5,500 houses.
Twenty-eight defense ministry officials, military and businessmen have been charged over the blasts.