The court hearing for file 184, known as the file relating to vote-buying and election rigging in the 2016 elections in Dibra, has been postponed for the second time.
The decision came after a request from Democratic Party representatives to change the judge. The next hearing will be held on February 12.
After closing the investigation a month ago, the Prosecution has filed charges against four people while asking to dismiss the case against the others.
The defendants are:
- Robert Aga, former head of the police station in Debar, accused of abuse of office;
- Drini Gjeçi, former director of education, accused of abuse of office and intimidation of voters;
- Nuri Meda, an official in the Tomin administrative unit, accused of abuse of office
- Hasan Hoti, Lura Administrative Unit, accused of intimidating voters
The Prosecution has requested the dismissal of the case of Dionis Imeraj, Imer Lala, Arben Keshi, Bekim Krashi, Afrim Mikli, arguing that for these persons the criminal offense of vote-buying is statute-barred as three years have passed.
The PD has appealed the decision and demands that all persons intercepted in this file be brought to justice.
The prosecution has charged four defendants with abuse of office and intimidation of voters and risks being sentenced to one to seven years in prison. Abuse of office under Article 248 has a sentence of up to seven years while threatening voters from one to four years under Article 329 of the Criminal Code.
