The ex-prime minister of Albania was accused of corruption

The former leader of Albania is officially accused of corruption

The leader of Albania's largest opposition party and former prime minister, Sali Berisha, has announced that he has received official corruption charges related to his time in power.

According to Reuters, in October 2023, the prosecutor’s office accused Berish of abuse influence when he served as prime minister in 2005-2009. He is accused of facilitating privatization for the benefit of relatives, including his son-in-law.

Sali Berisha received a 500-page indictment from the Tirana Prosecutor's Office and categorically denied all charges. He stated: "You can imagine, they claim that I was corrupted by my son-in-law... This is a continuation of a political vendetta, the execution of a mafia political order."

The former prime minister also repeatedly accused the current head of the Albanian government, Edi Rama, of organizing the persecution against him. Rama denies any involvement in the case.

Sali Berisha headed the government of Albania from 2005 to 2013 and was the country's president from 1992 to 1997.

Prosecutors are investigating allegations that he abused his position to help his son-in-law Jamarber Malleza privatize state-owned land to build 17 high-rise buildings in the capital, Tirana.