In a Facebook post, the US Embassy in Tirana has joined the Albanian High Court in its illegal effort to seek out additional candidates for the High Judicial Council (KLGj).
In the Facebook post, the US Embassy calls upon “honest, patriotic, appeals judges with integrity” to apply for the remaining seat in the KLGj:
Albania is on the verge of creating a justice system that truly serves the interests of its citizens. We call upon honest, patriotic, appeals judges with integrity to step up and serve their country on the High Judicial Council.
A link refers to the website of the High Court with the announcement of the reopening of applications.
As Exit explained before, the first vetting of the KLGj candidates failed to produce enough qualifying candidates as no appeals prosecutor from outside Tirana was able to pass the vetting. Subsequently, High Court president Xhezair Zaganjori announced the reopening of applications on the website of the High Court. However, the announcement violates several justice reform laws, as the High Court has no role in the election of the first KLGj.
While it appears that Zaganjori has made this illegal move with the approval of the EU Delegation and the EURALIUS mission, the International Monitoring Mission has in fact appealed the confirmation of Zaganjori as High Court judge by the Independent Qualification Commission (KPK). An official appeal against the confirmation of Zaganjori by the Public Commissioner at the Special Appeals Chamber is expected once the KPK has been published.
