TIRANA, March 14 – The Special Appeals Commission sacked public commissioner Heral Saraci on Monday following a disciplinary investigation which uncovered professional violations at the post he’s been leading the last nine months.
The International Monitoring Operation (IMO) began the proceeding alleging Saraci did not cooperate with a second commissioner to draft an internal regulation and that he conducted violations in recruiting staff.
In this context, the disciplinary commission headed by judges Albana Shtylla, Sokol Como and Ardian Hajdari decided to sack Saraci for hindering the institution’s work.
Saraci, on the other hand, denied all accusations as false and said he’s appeal the decision.
According to IMO, Saraci’s violations stopped the commission to meet; Saraci, however, said he did not prevent the approval of the public commission’s internal regulation, and that the set deadlines for its approval were fulfilled in time.
Como, as the head of the disciplinary commission, told local media it was proven during the hearing the Public Commissioner institution did not approve its on internal regulation due to obstacles created by Saraci.
Moreover, according to IMO, a project submitted by Saraci after failing to draft an internal regulation last year opposed what was agreed on between the commissioner and IMO observers.
“With his actions and inactions, Saraci harmed the Public Commissioner, and risked the protection of the public interest,” said Como in explaining the decision.
Concerning his responsibility to hire the institution’s staff but failing to provide them with employment contracts for over a year, Como said the unjustified lateness in staff recruitment had brought chaos to the institution.
Concerning his plan to appeal the decision, Saraci said it is legal vacuum which brought the delays and clashes for which he is being accused.
“I still don’t know exactly which law I broke,” he said.
A replacement commissioner already selected by the country’s parliament will take over Saraci’s chair. The Public Commissioner is one of three judges and prosecutors’ reevaluation institutions established in Albania in context of the judicial reform, which experts say is stagnating.
