Three judges accused of corruptive behavior

TIRANA, June 28 – The High Council of Justice has asked for the firing of three judges who allegedly declared innocent Mihal Delijorgji, the businessman who owned the Gerdec ammunition disposal factory that exploded March 15, killing 26 persons and injuring 300.
A report by the Council said Delijorgji was earlier fined 122 million leks by the Durres court, a verdict that was later reversed by the appeals court.
The Council completed its report on the case and has asked Justice Minister Enkelejd Alibeaj to begin disciplinary proceedings against the three judges, who declared Delijorgji to be innocent of smuggling charges.
The court made its ruling last December, just before Delijorgji’s company began work on a second contract with the Albanian defense ministry to dispose of thousands of tons of excess shells found in army depots.
Observers believe this is the latest move in the battle against corruption in the judiciary, which is a main shortcoming in the country’s progress towards a market economy and integration into the international institutions such as NATO and the European Union.