The Democratic Party filed a criminal lawsuit at the prosecution against Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister of Education Lindita Nikolla, and Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu over the collection of data from students and hospital patients. PD is requesting an investigation be launched for abuse of office for electoral purposes, and that the ministers be suspended from duty, as they can influence or destroy evidence for the investigation.
The lawsuit comes at the heels of the opposition’s recent public accusations against Rama, alleging he is illegally collecting citizens’ private data.
The two Democrat MPs who filed the lawsuit, Albana Vokshi and Bardh Spahiu, explained that Prime Minister Rama is using his position to collect legally protected information and data, that can later be used to manipulate upcoming elections.
Vokshi stated:
We denounced the collection and processing of personal data belonging to the parents of every student, in every school, throughout the country, as well as the intrusion into the personal medical records of patients who visit health centers. The information that is being collected, namely, names, surnames, personal identification numbers, email addresses, are all protected by the law. Therefore, the collection of this data, under Rama’s orders, is also illegal and unconstitutional.
Immediately after PD’s public allegations, Minister of Education Nikolla announced that the collection of data in schools is aimed at shaping a real system of communication between schools and parents, but, nonetheless ordered the process be halted.
Regarding Manastirliu, MP Vokshi stated:
Even though Manastirliu did not make any public announcements, to our knowledge, yesterday, health centers have been ordered by phone to stop collecting personal ID numbers.
You can read more about data collection here.
