Balluku Charged with New Offenses, Bardhi: Rama’s Political Protection Is Keeping Her Out of Handcuffs

Democratic Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Gazment Bardhi has reacted after Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku was formally charged with additional offenses related to alleged abuse of office.

Bardhi accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of providing Balluku with political protection, while criticizing SPAK and describing its failure to act as unjustifiable. According to him, the new charges against Balluku once again confirm that the DP Parliamentary Group was right to seek the lifting of her parliamentary immunity.

He argued that someone facing several charges of misusing millions of euros from the State Budget, and who is also under investigation for corruption and money laundering, should not be allowed to remain free. According to Bardhi, there is a risk that she could tamper with evidence, undermine the investigation, or pressure witnesses.

The head of the DP Parliamentary Group called on SPAK to apply the same standards to every official, without exceptions or political influence. He stressed that upholding equality before the law is essential to maintaining citizens’ trust in the justice system.

Bardhi warned that a justice system perceived as being influenced by politics could lose its independence and impartiality. For this reason, he said, the Special Prosecution Office must apply the same standards to every official, regardless of their position or the political support they enjoy.

STATEMENT BY DEMOCRATIC PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP CHAIRMAN GAZMENT BARDHI

She should be in handcuffs, but she continues to walk free thanks to Edi Rama’s political protection and SPAK’s failure to act, which we consider unjustifiable.

Belinda Balluku was formally charged today with additional offenses related to alleged abuses committed in the exercise of her duties.

SPAK’s decision to add charges against Edi Rama’s right-hand woman once again demonstrates that the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group’s position in favor of lifting her parliamentary immunity was right and necessary. A person facing several charges of misusing millions of euros from the State Budget, and who is also under investigation for corruption and money laundering, should not be allowed to remain free, as she could tamper with evidence, obstruct the investigations, or intimidate witnesses.

SPAK must apply the same standards in order to avoid undermining citizens’ trust in the justice system. A system that does not respect the constitutional principle of “equality of citizens before the law” risks becoming a selective mechanism instead of ensuring equal justice for all.

A justice system perceived as being influenced by the governing majority’s political decision-making cannot be considered entirely independent or fully impartial. For this reason, SPAK must apply the same rules to every official, without exceptions or political privileges.