The Dibra Prosecutor’s Office has concluded its investigation into File 184, otherwise known as one of the Electiongate Scandal files.
The Electiongate Scandal occurred when a leak of prosecution wiretaps was published by the media. They included the voices of senior Socialist Party officials, Prime Minister Edi Rama, state officials, and criminals who appeared to be colluding to buy votes and intimidate voters ahead of elections.
The Prosecution has decided to file charges against four of those involved and has dismissed the case against others.
Those charged are:
- Robert Aga, former head of the police station in Dibra, accused of abuse of office.
- Drini Gjeci, 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, an official in the Lura administrative unit, accused of intimidating voters.
The Prosecution requested dismissal against Dionis Imeraj, Imer Lala, Arben Keshi, Bekim Krashi, and Afim Mikli, on the basis that the criminal offence of “vote-buying” is statute-barred as three years have passed.
In September of 2019, the Prosecution of Serious Crimes handed the case of File 184 to the Dibra Prosecution. As Exit explained, this was in violation of the law. Then in January 2020, SPAK upheld the decision and refused to consider the case.
It was also reported that the Dibra prosecutor Esmereda Keshi is the wife of a first cousin of Arben Keshi, one of the accused.
File 184 includes wiretaps featuring the voices of ex-Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri, minister and Head of the Electoral Reform Committee Damian Gjiknuri, and Socialist Party Politicians. They appear in conversation with police, businessmen, and alleged criminals who were engaged in securing votes illegally in Dibra. Despite this, SPAK refused to consider it.
The initiating of proceedings against those accused of vote-buying is one of the 15 conditions Albania has to meet to set the date for the First Intergovernmental Conference. This condition was however not included in the Progress Report. MEPs questioned the European Commission on why the condition was dropped with no explanation and a response is expected in due course.
No senior officials or politicians whose voices appeared on either of the tapes have had proceedings initiated against them.
The Democratic Party reacted following the news and demanded investigation and charges against Rama, Tahiri, and Gjiknuri. Gazmend Bardhi said that it was vital the organisers of the electoral manipulation were brought to justice as it is one of the 15 conditions set by the EU.
“Raising charges by the prosecution only for some local officials and exempting from criminal responsibility the organizers, instigators and those who ordered the real manipulation of the elections in Debar is not justice.
Albanians and the whole world have heard loud and clear how Edi Rama ordered local officials to manipulate the elections, how Damian Gjinknuri and Imer Lala bought votes, how Pjerin Ndreu threatened teachers.
Violation of the law from the top of power can not be covered with the small fish of power…” said Bardhi.
