Përparim Rama questioned over suspected abuse of office; Sveçla cites other cases

Pristina Mayor Përparim Rama was questioned on Friday by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo as a suspect, as part of an investigation into the “Capital Architect” project. He is suspected of abusing his official position or authority.

Gëzim Sveçla, head of the Vetëvendosje assembly members in the Pristina Municipal Assembly, also commented on the questioning. In a statement to “Bota sot,” he said they welcomed the Special Prosecution’s action and that the law should apply equally to everyone.

“We welcome the questioning of Pristina Mayor Mr. Përparim Rama by the Special Prosecution of the Republic of Kosovo. Accountability and legal responsibility are fundamental principles of a democratic society, where the rule of law must apply to everyone without exception,” Sveçla said.

According to him, Vetëvendosje opposed the “Capital Architect” project from the outset, claiming that it created significant opportunities for corruption and the misuse of public funds.

“Since the ‘Capital Architect’ project was introduced, we have opposed it because it was clear that it had considerable potential for corruption and the abuse of Pristina residents’ budget. We opposed it in the Municipal Assembly, raised our concerns in the media, and filed criminal complaints with the competent institutions,” he said.

Sveçla also criticized Rama’s administration, citing legal violations, a lack of transparency, nepotism, and cronyism. He said that, for Vetëvendosje, the Special Prosecution’s involvement in local government matters was an expected outcome.

“Given the way Mr. Rama and the entities supporting him have governed, the repeated violations of the law, the lack of transparency, and the nepotism and cronyism on display, the Special Prosecution’s examination of local government was an expected and inevitable outcome for us,” Sveçla said.

He claimed the project was just one of the cases for which Rama could face criminal liability, also citing the “Legalization Scandal” and the contract for Smart lighting.

“We are convinced that the ‘Capital Architect’ is only one of the cases for which Përparim Rama will be held criminally accountable. The Legalization Scandal, the Smart lighting contract, and many other cases are no less serious than the ‘Capital Architect’ in terms of the misuse of public funds,” he said.

Sveçla concluded that if the justice system aims to uncover abuses in the Municipality of Pristina over the past five years, this could mark the end of Rama’s political career, and not only his.

“If justice is fair and truly aims to uncover the abuses that have taken place in the Municipality of Pristina over the past five years, then this will undoubtedly be the political end of Përparim Rama, but not only him,” Sveçla concluded.