The Mayor of Tiranë before the investigation into the killing of Azem Hajdari
EDITORIAL
By F[r]im MAZNIKU
They are fermenting...
During these last few years, despite the speculation that political opponents have made and continue to make about stripping deputies of immunity, in some other cases the opposite has happened. Other important figures of Albanian politics have been brought before justice. This is what happened with the former Minister of Tourism, Youth and Sports, Sabri Godo. Or also with the former deputy prime minister Arben Xhaferri. However, the latest issue, whether the prefect of Tiranë, the Government or the General Prosecutor’s Office has shown leniency in favor of one of the participants, in one of the most important institutions of the Albanian state for uncovering crimes, is a matter of particular importance for the climate of this period.
Likewise, if the speculations are confirmed regarding the name of the person close to the state and the government, in the case of the killing of Azem Hajdari, with actions much more serious than Sabri Godo or Arben Xhaferri, the situation cannot be left in silence. On the contrary, such a scandal would have very serious consequences for public opinion and for the administration of this state. There can be no justification for hiding the facts and the names of those who may have had knowledge or who helped prevent the killing of a well-known figure of pluralism from being uncovered.
This is not about immunity or privilege, but about accountability and transparency. This issue cannot be handled according to the interests of the day. As long as there have been evidence, testimony, or indications, they must be made available to justice without delay. Otherwise, every lost day weighs even more heavily on the institutions and on the public’s trust in them.
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