15 Oct Statement by President Ilir Meta on the Decision to Adjourn His Trial and Suspend the Time Limits Governing His Pre-Trial Detention
Statement by President Ilir Meta on the Decision to Adjourn His Trial and Suspend the Time Limits Governing His Pre-Trial Detention
Once again today, my trial on the merits was adjourned, arbitrarily, unreasonably and disproportionately, at the prosecutor’s deliberate request, until 22 October 2026, under the pretext of safeguarding my right to legal representation. At the same time, the prosecutor’s principal request to suspend the time limits governing my pre-trial detention was granted.
During the hearing, I firmly insisted, on compelling legal grounds, that the proceedings continue, expressing my unequivocal willingness and full confidence in my ability to defend myself against every allegation brought against me.
I also requested the urgent severance of my case from that of the other defendant, who remains at liberty.
Despite my explicit requests, the trial panel decided to adjourn the hearing and appoint a lawyer through the Ministry of Justice’s Directorate of Free Legal Aid—in other words, through the Rama IV Government.
This lawyer was selected from the list maintained by Ulsi Manja, who bears serious legal responsibility in connection with the deliberate manipulation of letters rogatory addressed to the United States of America.
I want to make this absolutely clear to the public.
I have neither requested nor do I need a “free court-appointed lawyer” assigned by the Rama IV Government.
I have always been, and remain, fully capable of defending my own legal rights and interests against any allegations brought against me.
Prosecutors may need aides, assistants and reinforcements, but I do not!
Having absolutely no confidence in Ulsi Manja’s list, I have compelling reasons to suspect that this court decision will be used as yet another mechanism, or pretext, to justify a further suspension of the time limits governing my pre-trial detention and to deliberately prolong my trial on the merits.
For this reason, I call upon all constitutional institutions, the High Judicial Council, the People’s Advocate of Albania, other relevant stakeholders, and the Albanian Helsinki Committee to intensify their monitoring of my judicial proceedings.
The deliberate prolongation of my trial and my continued pre-trial detention constitute flagrant violations of procedural law, the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, serving Edi Rama’s electoral and retaliatory agenda. Edi Rama is the architect of this unprecedented crisis in the justice system, which has brought approximately 500 hearings before the First Instance Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime (GJKKO) to a standstill since 1 September 2026.
In particular, I call upon the Albanian Parliament and every responsible Member of Parliament to support the concrete legislative initiative submitted by Mr. Tedi Blushi, Chairman of the Freedom Party Parliamentary Group, to bring about an institutional and rational resolution of the conflict between the First Instance Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime and the National Chamber of Advocacy.
This conflict is deliberate and bears the unmistakable hallmarks of political orchestration. It is causing extremely serious consequences for the administration of justice, the fundamental right to a fair trial, and the protection of personal liberty.
Everything is happening in plain sight, but even more will be brought to light!