Tirana, March 16 (Tirana Echo) – Albania’s former general prosecutor Adriatik Llalla has delayed many investigations and may face corruption charges according to new prosecutor general Arta Marku.
During an interview for ‘Real Story’ at Vizion plus TV in Tirana, Marku said her predecessor’s mandate was marked by many problems, delays of investigations and blocked cases, adding the Prosecutor General Office has taken its responsibilities under the Constitution and the law.
“There was work done, but there were many problems, delays of investigations, there were cases which have been put on hold and not advancing. I cannot say why but there were cases where there could have been more work done. I have tried to motivate and encourage the prosecutors to undertake cases previously closed and to cooperate with the State Police and other relevant law institutions”, said Marku over her predecessor’s period.
The new general prosecutor said she felt bad over the US State Department decision to ban her predecessor from entering the US, referring to the public designation of Adriatik Llalla in February by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson under Section 7031(c) of the FY 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act due to his involvement in significant corruption.
Asked if the prosecutor’s office is investigating the former prosecutor, Marku said that “the State Department has always been ready to investigate any official, including the current case. Let us say that the prosecutor general has undertaken all its responsibilities under the constitution and the law. I cannot say any more on this particular case”.
The statement comes amid high level of speculation that after Llalla’s voluntary withdrawal from the so called vetting process, and the US decision to ban him and his family members, the former prosecutor may face corruption charges under the new justice system being formed with heavy US and EU support.
The Albanian Government i sunder pressure to deliver on its justice reform before it can enter any formal membership talks with the European Union this year.
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