Connect with us

International News

Former Albanian President, Meta Arrested For Corruption

Published

on

In a dramatic development that has rocked Albanian politics, former President Ilir Meta was arrested on Monday for alleged corruption and money laundering, marking a new chapter in the ongoing political battle between Meta and his long-time rival, Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The arrest, confirmed by the country’s special prosecutor’s office, has drawn sharp criticism from Meta’s supporters and deepened tensions within Albania’s political landscape.

Read Also: How Bobrisky Detained, Interrogated By Immigration Officers At Seme Border

Meta, 55, who served as President from 2017 to 2022, was detained in Tirana after returning from a visit to Kosovo.

His arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation involving him, his ex-wife, Monika Kryemadhi, and other prominent figures on charges that include “passive bribery of a senior official,” “money laundering,” and “false declaration of assets.”

The allegations span over a decade, with some of the earliest accusations dating back to his tenure as Minister of Economy between 2010 and 2011.

Albanian media outlets published images showing police escorting Meta out of his vehicle and into a police van, while AFP photographers later captured him leaving a police station, en route to jail.

His ex-wife, Kryemadhi, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Freedom Party, has not been arrested but is required to appear regularly before judicial authorities.

Kryemadhi has publicly denounced the charges, describing them as “political” in nature.

“This is a criminal kidnapping,” said Tedi Blushi, the secretary-general of Meta’s Freedom Party, as he condemned the arrest.

Meta’s political allies view the move as part of a broader crackdown by Prime Minister Rama, who has been accused of consolidating power and targeting political rivals.

Former Prime Minister and opposition leader Sali Berisha, himself under investigation for corruption, called Meta’s arrest “political persecution” during a press conference on Monday.

The charges against Meta, if proven, could result in up to 12 years of imprisonment under Albanian law.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities receiving international support from the United States, Austria, Italy, San Marino, and Cyprus.

Prosecutors hinted at the possibility of more individuals being implicated as they continue to scrutinize Meta’s alleged network of criminal activities.

Ilir Meta is a seasoned figure in Albanian politics, with a career that spans back to the country’s post-communist transition.

He was elected as a deputy in 1992 and went on to serve in a variety of top-level roles, including Prime Minister (1999-2002), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009-2010), and Speaker of Parliament (2013-2017).

His presidency, though largely ceremonial, was marked by escalating tensions with Prime Minister Rama, particularly as Meta positioned himself as a fierce critic of the government, accusing Rama of creating a “kleptocratic regime.”

 

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Lubna Khan

    October 22, 2024 at 5:56 am

    obviously like your web-site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I’ll certainly come back again.

  2. PS5 Pro

    November 7, 2024 at 5:35 pm

    Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

International News

‘Only Two Genders’ – Trump Vows To Tackle Transgender Lunacy

Published

on

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to take sweeping actions against what he described as “transgender lunacy,” signaling a push to reverse policies protecting transgender individuals in schools, sports, and the military.

Speaking at the AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Trump outlined his administration’s priorities, stating, “I will sign executive orders to end child sexual mutilation, get transgender out of the military, and out of our elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.”

READ MORE: Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

He also vowed to “keep men out of women’s sports” and asserted, “It will be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”

The president-elect’s remarks come amid growing national debate over transgender rights, with states divided over issues such as gender-affirming medical care and the inclusion of books addressing transgender topics in schools.

The controversy escalated last week when Congress passed a defense budget provision blocking funding for certain gender-affirming care for the children of service members.

Trump’s speech drew strong reactions, with critics warning that his policies could strip essential protections from transgender individuals.

Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about the implications of these proposals on marginalized communities.

In addition to his focus on cultural issues, Trump used the event to outline his vision for the nation under his leadership.

He described his presidency as a turning point, promising to address international conflicts and restore American dominance.

“On January 20, the United States will turn the page forever on four long, horrible years of failure, incompetence, national decline, and we will inaugurate a new era of peace, prosperity, and national greatness,” Trump declared, referring to his upcoming swearing-in.

He pledged to end the war in Ukraine, stabilize the Middle East, and avert global conflict. “I will stop the chaos in the Middle East, and I will prevent, I promise, World War III,” he said.

The president-elect also reiterated his commitment to reclaiming control of the Panama Canal and combating crime linked to illegal immigration.

“I can proudly proclaim that the golden age of America is upon us,” Trump concluded.

 

 

Continue Reading

International News

Ex-IMF Chief, Rodrigo Rato Jailed For Money Laundering, Fraud

Published

on

A Madrid court on Friday handed down a sentence of more than four years in prison to Rodrigo Rato, the former chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Spain’s ex-economy minister.

Rato was convicted of multiple charges, including tax crimes, money laundering, and corruption.

READ MORE: NCDMB Rewards Winners Of 2024 Edition National Undergraduate Essay Competition

The court found Rato guilty of “three offences against the treasury, one offence of money laundering, and one offence of corruption between individuals,” according to an official statement.

Details shortly………..

Continue Reading

International News

South Korean President Banned From Travel Amid Martial Law Backlash

Published

on

South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country, the Justice Ministry confirmed Monday, following a week of political chaos triggered by his brief declaration of martial law.

The ban marks the first time a sitting president has faced such a restriction in the nation’s history.

Recall that on December 3, Yoon ordered special forces and helicopters to the National Assembly in an attempt to impose martial law.

RELATED NEWS: Martial Law: South Korea Opposition Files Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon

Lawmakers swiftly overturned the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind the order. Although he survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, public anger has continued to mount, with large protests demanding his resignation.

Authorities are now investigating Yoon and his close allies for their roles in last week’s events, including allegations of insurrection.

Among those facing travel bans are former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who is in custody, and former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min.

General Park An-su, who led the martial law operation, and Defence Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung have also been barred from leaving the country.

General Park was questioned by investigators on Monday as the probe intensified.

Yoon’s impeachment failed after members of his ruling People Power Party (PPP) walked out of the National Assembly, denying the opposition the required two-thirds majority.

In exchange for their support, Yoon reportedly agreed to delegate his powers to the prime minister and the PPP chairman.

“This is an unlawful, unconstitutional act of a second insurrection and a second coup,” said Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the opposition Democratic Party.

Critics argue that Yoon’s decision to hand power to unelected officials violates the constitution.

“It seems to resemble an unconstitutional soft coup,” said Kim Hae-won, a constitutional law professor at Pusan National University.

“Their attitude of placing themselves above the constitution mirrors that of insurrectionist Yoon Suk Yeol,” added Park Chan-dae.

Despite Yoon’s apology for the “anxiety and inconvenience” caused by his martial law order, his approval rating has plummeted to 11%, according to a recent Gallup poll.

Opposition leaders have announced plans for a second impeachment vote on Saturday, with massive protests expected outside the National Assembly.

The PPP’s claim that Yoon can remain in office while delegating his powers to party officials has also been widely criticized.

“If there are issues with the president, the constitution lays out clear procedures, such as suspension or impeachment,” said Professor Kim Hae-won.

The ongoing crisis has raised concerns about South Korea’s leadership amid tensions with nuclear-armed North Korea.

The Defense Ministry confirmed Monday that Yoon remains the official commander in chief, despite questions about his authority.

“Legally, (control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief,” said Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-Kyou.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.