Prime Minister Edi Rama has spoken about the fight against corruption and the arrest of the former director of the State Intelligence Service, Vlora Hyseni.
In an interview with the German media WELT, asked about corruption in Albania and the arrests of senior officials, Rama focused on the work of justice institutions and especially SPAK.
In its question, WELT also referred to the arrest of the former director of the State Intelligence Service, placing it in the context of other cases of investigations and convictions of senior officials.
Hyseni was arrested as part of a SPAK investigation, while her case is part of a series of proceedings that have also affected other important figures in the Albanian administration and politics.
Rama described the situation as a profound change in the way the Albanian state functions.
Excerpt from the interview:
WELT: Corruption remains a problem in Albania. The director of the secret service has been arrested, and there are many other cases of investigation and conviction. What are you doing about it?
Rama: Albania was a country where corruption was the system. Today Albania is a country where the system fights corruption. We are in the final phase of cleaning up the country.
WELT: The Special Anti-Corruption Structure, SPAK, under the supervision of the US and the EU, is cracking down on senior officials. Is it working?
Rama : It is partly painful. Not all procedures comply with European standards, in my opinion. Albania has the highest rate of prisoners in pre-trial detention on the continent. But this is part of a harsh and inevitable process. We should take credit for this.
WELT: There are voices demanding political responsibility from you – given the arrests and convictions of people close to you…
Rama: Before I took office, since 1912, when our state was created, no minister in Albania had ever appeared before an independent prosecutor. I am proud that our country is now able to hold people accountable, wherever they are. This is my political responsibility.