TIRANA, July 14 – The 140-member Assembly has voted in favor of granting authorization to the Special Anti Corruption Structure, SPAK, for the arrest of Socialist deputy Arben Ahmetaj, even though the opposition and the majority submitted different reports in the special plenary session on Friday.
“You got to know his (Ahmetaj) attitude which confirmed that he is on the run until the truth comes out. In fact, the message was until he reaches an agreement with the head of this affair, with (PM) Edi Rama. Each of us, dear colleagues, will have only one goal from today; to make Edi Rama hand over Arben Ahmetaj to justice,” said DP deputy Gazment Bardhi.
“It does not result that the request was made under the conditions of a political influence,” said Socialist deputy Arben Pëllumbi in plenary session, adding that Socialist majority supported SPAK’s request for the arrest of Ahmetaj.
In the absence of deputy Ahmetaj, who had the right, but not the obligation, to speak in front of his colleagues about the accusations, former PM Sali Berisha proposed that the prime minister answer. But Rama did not listen to his predecessor’s proposal as he chose to leave the hall, as long as Berisha and Gazment Bardhi were in the lectern.
“In the absence due to the escape of the deputy prime minister, who should have been in this hall to answer questions, out of respect for the parliament, out of respect for justice, out of respect for the Albanian citizens, I propose that all the questions be answered by his boss, Edi Rama,” said Berisha.
Starting from the adoption of the decision by the Assembly on Friday, SPAK can arrest the former deputy prime minister and minister Ahmetaj and also ask for the help of partners to locate him and is allowed to control his apartment. /argumentum.al
