Agron Tare recounts how Igli Tare and Belinda Balluku met: Friends since high school

During a debate on the “Minuta e Parë” program on News24, Agron Tare spoke about the long-standing relationship between his brother, former footballer Igli Tare, and former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku.

He also commented on the SPAK investigation concerning the seizure of two villas registered in Igli Tare’s name.

According to Agron Tare, they met during their high-school years, and their relationship continued through a close friendship between their families.

“Igli Tare met Belinda Balluku at ‘Qemal Stafa’ High School. We had a family friendship. Balluku’s parents had been interned, and she was raised by her grandmother. When they met, my father was not enthusiastic because, in those days, unusual things could happen over matters like these. The relationship between Igli Tare and Belinda Balluku was very close,” he said.

Referring to the SPAK proceedings concerning the two seized villas, Agron Tare said that his brother’s wealth was based on the income he earned during his many-year career in European football.

“Igli Tare bought two villas. I do not believe there is an Albanian who would question the source of Igli Tare’s income, since for more than 20 years he has had an annual salary of around 1 million euros. The offense he is accused of relates to whether the source of his income can be justified, but the source of his income is fully justified,” Agron Tare declared.

However, he acknowledged that the authorities had grounds to investigate, stressing that he trusted the justice process.

“There are facts, however; there are emails that make SPAK’s suspicion legitimate, and we are completely ‘okay’ with that. Both my brother Igli Tare and I trust SPAK to reach the right conclusion at the end of the investigation. My brother is outside this political war that is being waged. We trust justice. If my brother is guilty, he will receive the punishment he deserves,” Agron Tare concluded.