Taulant Balla filed a defamation complaint against Sali Berisha; GJKKO dismisses case

The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has decided to dismiss the criminal case filed by Taulant Balla against Sali Berisha on defamation charges. According to the official notice, on 16 April 2026, Balla submitted a request seeking to have Sali Berisha declared guilty of “insult” and “defamation.”

The decision also states that the parties have the right to appeal to the Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime within 15 days, with the period beginning on the day after notification of the decision.

Full notice:

SPECIAL COURT OF FIRST INSTANCE AGAINST CORRUPTION AND ORGANIZED CRIME

NOTICE TO THE MEDIA

On 16.04.2026, the accusing victim Taulant Balla submitted to the Court a request with the following subject: “Declaring the accused Sali Berisha guilty of committing the criminal misdemeanors of ‘Insult’ and ‘Defamation,’ committed publicly to the detriment of the accusing victim Taulant Balla, as provided for by Articles 119 and 120 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Albania.”

At the conclusion of the trial, the Special Court of First Instance against Corruption and Organized Crime, with a judicial panel composed of Judge Besmir Stroka, ruled by Decision No. 67, dated 21.09.2026:

Dismissal of the proceedings in Case No. Reg. 111, registered on 16.04.2026, with Taulant Balla as the accusing victim and Sali Berisha as the accused.

Court costs shall be borne by the accusing victim.

This decision may be appealed to the Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime within 15 (fifteen) days, with the period beginning on the day after notification of this decision.