TIRANA, April 7 – The parliament commission on mandates convened Tuesday to discuss a request from the main opposition Democratic Party to have Koço Kokedhima of the governing Socialist Party investigated and expelled from parliament.
The Democrats said Kokedhima broke the law by allowing one of the companies he owns to gain public money while he serves as a lawmaker.
Kokedhima, who owns many businesses, has denied the charges, saying he removed himself from the helm of the companies and cut ties to public funding the moment he took the parliamentary mandate almost two years ago.
The Democrats say that the contrary has happened and he has profited in tens of cases from public money while being a lawmaker.
On Tuesday, parliament could not reach a conclusion. Kokedhima was represented by his lawyer at the commission where he said they were discussing technical details.
But it is not clear whether the commission will decide to take the case to the session for a vote. The constitutional court would make the final decision.
At least one other lawmaker has been expelled from parliament due to a conflict of interest in gaining public funds while serving as a lawmaker and business owner, which is illegal under Albania’s conflict of interest law.
