TIRANA TIMES
TIRANA, July 20 – The main opposition Socialist Party of Tirana Mayor Edi Rama on Tuesday called for Economy Minister Dritan Prifti’s parliamentary immunity to be lifted as his income and property declarations are investigated.
Besnik Baraj of the Socialist Party said Prifti owned other properties which he had not declared at the annual statement required for all Albanian politicians in positions of power as a corruption-prevention measure.
Baraj said that there are potentially 1 million euros worth of assets that Prifti has not declared.
The opposition asked the Prosecutor’s Office to start investigation of the case and also said they had asked Prime Minister Sali Berisha, whose Democratic Party has a coalition with Prifti’s Socialist Movement for Integration, to lift his immunity and let authorities free to investigate.
Meanwhile Prifti denied the charges and denied he had an extra property. He also renewed his attacks on Rama, who he has accused of using illicit drugs.
All started last week when the opposition said that Prifti had immediately become rich after coming to the post, declaring 1.8 million euros after he became a minister.
Prifti responded accusing Rama of being drug addiction and having seen “white powder” on his desk at the City Hall.
He also asked the High Inspectorate of Property Declaration to check his property statement for any irregularities.
