The Administrative Court of Tirana upheld a 5 million lek (roughly €41,000) fine against Elton Debreshi, a miner from Bulqiza who ran an independent campaign for Parliament in the April 25 elections.
Debreshi was fined in April for violating anti-COVID measures, accused of organizing a gathering of more than 10 people.
At the time, Debreshi released a statement saying he would not pay the fine, claiming it was an attempt to intimidate him. He even called for financial support for his campaign, which was funded by volunteers and citizens.
In November 2020, the Ministry of Health banned the gatherings of more than 10 people in closed or open places, including conferences, gatherings, or party meetings. The order was extended in March 2021.
During the campaign for the April 25 elections, Albanian authorities fined 10 candidates for organizing meetings that violated COVID-19 regulations.
But while political parties were criticized at large not complying with the measures against the pandemic, many were not penalized, including in Dibra, where Debreshi was running for MP.
In late August 2021, a bomb detonated inside Debreshi’s car, but none was injured during the blast. The case is still under investigation.
