Justice Under Investigation?!

These past days, the Ambassador of the United States of America and the Ambassadors of the EU countries accredited to Tirana have been expressing major concern over the Government’s intrusion into the affairs of the institution of the Prosecution. anThis alarm articulated repeatedly and publicly, is linked with latest declarations made by the Prime Minister and representatives of the Ruling Majority about an international inquiry into a case which the Office of the General Prosecutor is currently investigating into, and also with the creation, by the Assembly, of a parliamentary inquiry committee.
At the beginning of this week, the Prime Minister called a press conference at which he announced the creation of a parliamentary inquiry committee. It is the right of the Assembly to set up inquiry committees, however, the decision on this particular committee was adopted by the Prime Minister in the offices of the Government. Moreover, at the same press conference, the Prime Minister defined the objective of this inquiry: “relations between the institutions, (the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Prosecution).” Now that the objective has been pinpointed, all that is left is for work to begin to find the culprit. The inquiry committee, which the Ruling Majority insists will be set up, will actually have quite an easy job. The Prime Minister, again at this same press conference, stated that “it is not the fault of the Police.” Indirectly then, this means that the Prosecution is to blame. On the same occasion, the Prime Minister called for an international inquiry for “a businessman friend of his-Damir Faslic,” to come up with evidence proving that Faslic had profited even a single penny from State funds. In fact, the Opposition and a part of the media accuse this “highly controversial businessman” in Albania and the region, of money laundering, tax evasion and State Capture. The reaction of the Prime Minister was prompted by the fact that two Tirana Prosecutors tried to stop Damir Faslic and bring him in for questioning. The Prime Minister, who has publicly declared Mr. Faslic his friend, was furious that the Prosecutors had dared to ring the Police and request that Faslic be detained the moment he was departing from Albania on a privately chartered plane. The Prosecution is now investigating the businesses of Mr. Faslic. The request (of the government) to summon international investigators is tantamount to an investigation into the justice system itself.
One year ago, the Assembly set up a parliamentary inquiry committee and dismissed the General Prosecutor – the former Head of Prosecution was accused of apathy. One year later, the attempts by the Ruling Majority to repeat this episode is dangerous. The Office of the General Prosecutor is conducting several very important inquiries, such as the inquiry into the Gerdec Blast which cost the lives of 26 citizens, the inquiry into funds unaccountable for on the Durres-Kukes Motorway project. In both these cases, the Ruling Majority has given its approval for the investigation into two members of the Government, by voting to lift their status of immunity as MPs. This is a fine standard indicating that no one is above the Law. However, the latest efforts to impede this inquiry, the growing pressure on the Prosecution, seriously question the “will” of the Ruling Majority to build and respect the Rule of Law. Words and verbal guarantees are nowhere near sufficient, the time is here to make a move and take action. The reaction of the Ambassadors of the western countries comes at the opportune moment and it constitutes a clear cut message for the political class in general, and the government in particular: justice must not be impeded.
At these moments, the silence of the President of the Republic, who is also the Chairman of the Higher Council of Justice, is incomprehensible.
It is true that the Judiciary and the Justice system in Albania have many problems, but the finest moment the Justice system in this country has ever experienced must not be impaired – the independent investigation of cases in which the top ranking officials are involved.
One year ago, the Albanian Opposition changed its own political course, to better the chances of the country to receive the invitation to join NATO. The Opposition fulfilled its obligation to the country. Now, it is the turn of the Ruling Majority.
Albania is on the verge of embarking on an electoral year. The Ruling Majority must prepare conditions so there are free and fair elections, it must assist the justice system to perform its duties without being obstructed.
Albania hopes fervently to become a full member of NATO in Spring of next year. The Rule of Law, the market economy, a free media and an independent justice system are all values shared by NATO member countries. Any senseless error at these particular moments for the sake of narrow interests of a given clan could send the country years behind. This would be unforgivable.