TIRANA, Aug. 1 – In three consecutive sessions, different bodies of the Independent Qualification Commission issued the decisions to oust High Court judge Artan Broci and current Tirana Prosecutor Dritan Rreshka, while the other High Court member Medi Bici was re-confirmed to office.
The first decision was given to Broci, for whom during the hearing several doubts were raised concerning his available assets, some apartments, office space and investments in Treasury Bonds.
Questions were also raised concerning some cases of conflict of interest, as Mr. Broci had tried civil cases of companies with which he had, before or after court proceedings, various business relationships, or donation benefits.
The High Court member reacted harshly following the decision that currently leaves him out of the judicial system, accusing the commissioners of executing the prime minister’s political orders while saying he had provided proof of the legitimacy of his income.
Another IQC body subsequently confirmed the other High Court member Medi Bici, who passed the wealth declaration test and professional and moral integrity tests without any problems.
With Tuesday’s ruling, the number of High Court members is reduced from 19 to just four, including recently re-confirmed Head of the High Court Xhezair Zaganjori. Virtually all three branches of this court are non-functional and can only work for cases of security measures.
Third in line, Tirana’s current head of the Prosecution Office Dritan Rreshka was also ousted due to issues with his wealth declarations, for which he extensively argues with the IQC during the hearing.
