Judges moved from post, opposition complains

TIRANA, Feb. 11 – During last week’s meeting, the High Council of Justice moved 14 judges from their posts in different courts of appeals around the country.
The High Council also discussed the definition of a time limited term for chairing functions for chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of district courts and courts of appeal. That time period could be a four year term, which is considered sufficient for the posts.
The move was also supported by the justice ministry.
But the opposition expressed concern that such moves ran counter to the agreement they had reached on the judicial reform.
Fatmir Xhafa of the Socialist party said that the HCJ was overcoming its normal duties with such moves, saying the moves were made for personal profit on their part.
Judicial reform and electoral reform are main preconditions asked from the international community prior to Albania being invited to join NATO and the European Union.(Tirana Times Staff)