TIRANA, March 24 – The Republican Party leadership decided that they would wait until the end of an official investigation before again seeking a ministry post in the cabinet of Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
Republican leader Fatmir Mediu was the defense minister who resigned last week after the explosion at the Gerdec disposal shell factory killed at least 22 persons and injured more than 300.
Mediu said he did not bear any personal or legal responsibility, but said he resigned as a moral obligation.
Mediu also said he was open to being questioned and that he would offer all available information to the prosecutor’s office.
Mediu has already been questioned and may be questioned again, according to officials.
However, the opposition has claimed that he, together with Premier Berisha, should also have their parliamentary immunity lifted so the prosecutor’s office could freely proceed in their work.
Opposition politicians accuse Mediu of being directly responsible, not only for the blast, but also for an alleged illegal practice of selling excess ammunition.
Meanwhile, Mediu has hinted that the location of the disposal factory and its supervision was made by the military, which responded by saying they were sidelined by politicians.
