Former President Ilir Meta requested a live broadcast of the hearing to the media and to be released from the glass cage during the GJKKO hearing. These requests were rejected by the trial panel.
After the cameras were removed and the live broadcast was interrupted, the session continued according to the agenda. Former President Meta took the floor, answering the standard questions of every session.
"I currently live in Tirana. I am a resident of 313. My marital status is single, meaning divorced," he said.
Another request that Meta has made to the court is to make investigative materials available as he cannot access the USB that was handed to him from the detention cell.
"It would be necessary to reassess the media issue. Nothing much changes for the cage. We want to focus on the essence of the charges, so that we have the opportunity to respond to the prosecutors' claims."
I also have a procedural request. We were given the investigation files, but without the minutes. The lawyer was given the material on a USB, but where we are, USBs cannot be used. I also told you during the preliminary hearing that it was proven that the prosecution has concealed evidence and facts that are not in the interest of the prosecution. But the prosecution must be objective and consider other facts as well.
There are accusations that implicate Albanian-American relations, as there is talk of illegal lobbying. American political figures are also involved in this matter. The prosecution has not been fair with us, even though I have been very fair with them. On January 7, I was summoned to SPAK and asked again about a charge that had already been dropped. I was not given the right to defend myself with facts. The main concern is the proven tendency to hide facts or evidence that are not in the interest of the prosecution.