TIRANA, Jan. 23 – The Serious Crimes Prosecution Office extended the investigation deadline on former Minister of Interior Saimir Tahiri’s case on the grounds it is still not in possession of enough evidence to go to trial.
While a decision on the Tahiri-Habilaj case was expected since Jan. 18, it will now be postponed for another three months, while local media reported the prosecution asked Italian authorities to hand any extra evidence that might assist Albanian prosecutors on the case.
An official statement from the General Prosecution Office said the temporary chief prosecutor, Arta Marku, continues to support the Serious Crimes Prosecution on all levels and investigations that counter corruption and crime.
“The General Prosecution offers the Serious Crime Prosecution all human and infrastructural resources necessary to successfully commit to all its duties in accordance to the law,” the statement noted.
The Tahiri-Habilaj case has been under investigation since last year, when Italian authorities busted a criminal gang of marijuana traffickers led by alleged distant cousins of Tahiri – the Habilaj brothers.
The news has dominated the media for the past three months in Albania, as it has strongly influenced the political scene.
A meeting of all major opposition parties unanimously asked for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama following the revelation of the Tahiri-Habilaj case, while protests against the appointment of a temporary chief prosecutor by Rama’s socialist majority will resume this Sunday.
