Hidden camera footage taken at the offices of the Socialist Party in Saranda spark political debate and public anger.
TIRANA, Aug. 19 – In a case that has shocked many Albanians and led to political accusations, a court in the southern city of Saranda has denied bail to a political activist accused of seeking sex with a minor in exchange for a job for her mother.
Agron Cane, 60, an activist of the Socialist Party who served as a representative in the local office of a member of parliament was arrested following the publication of hidden camera footage appearing to show he demanded sexual favors with a minor in a conversation with the mother of a 14-year-old girl in exchange for finding the mother a job.
Prosecutors have charged Cane, who worked in the office of the Socialist MP Koco Kok쥨ima for offenses relating to “sexual harassment” and “exerting undue influence,” telling the judge the charges are based on criteria set by Albania’s Criminal Code.
Cane pleaded not guilty and the lawyer said he had demanded that his client be released, because the “video had been manipulated” for political reasons and his client had never met the girl.
The lawyer said Cane had become a broken man and had tried to commit suicide while in custody. He urged authorities to monitor him at all times.
In a recorded conversation published by a nonprofit media project, investigim.al, Cane appears to tell a woman who had sought his help to find a job that he would like to have sex with her 14-year-old daughter.
As soon as the video was released, Cane was fired and quickly arrested, but the event immediately led to political accusations between the opposition and the government.
Civil society and women’s rights activists have also reacted to the case, with many expressing anger that political parties, which have no official powers to help employee people, are the ones where many people turn to rather than the official labor offices that operate across the country.
Kok쥨ima, the MP who had hired Cane, said he distanced himself from his former aide, adding he had hired Cane to register people’s concerns not offer jobs.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said in a social media statement that “evil has no party,” adding that the police had quickly arrested the activist and the MP and Socialist Party, which Rama heads, distance themselves from the man.
“Evil has no party and no place among us,” Rama wrote on Twitter. He also accused the main opposition Democratic Party of misusing what had happened for political gain.
But the opposition says this is not an isolated case.
“It is a medal of shame for Edi Rama and the system he has erected,” Opposition leader Lulzim Basha said in a statement. “Seeking sexual favors with a minor in exchange for a job – happening the offices of the Socialist Party.”
