Albania’s former president, Ilir Meta, has been arrested in Tirana as part of a high-profile corruption and money laundering investigation, confirmed by the special prosecutor’s office. This arrest adds to the ongoing tensions between him and Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Meta’s political party has labeled the arrest a “criminal kidnapping,” as he was apprehended while returning from a visit to Kosovo. At 55, Meta, who served as President from 2017 to 2022, faces serious allegations alongside his ex-wife, Monika Kryemadhi, and other public figures. The charges include “passive bribery of a senior official,” “money laundering,” and “false declaration of assets,” with some accusations tracing back to his tenure as Minister of Economy from 2010 to 2011.
Visuals from Albanian media showcased police escorting Meta into a special forces van after his arrest. A photographer captured him leaving a police station later in the day to be taken to jail. Although Kryemadhi, an MP of Meta’s Freedom Party, has not been detained, she is required to regularly report to the judicial police and has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Should the charges be substantiated, they carry potential penalties of up to 12 years in prison under Albanian law. The prosecution also indicated that investigations are ongoing regarding other individuals suspected of involvement, with support from international agencies.
In a statement earlier on the same day, Tedi Blushi, secretary-general of Meta’s political party, condemned the arrest as politically driven. Former Prime Minister and current opposition leader Sali Berisha, who is dealing with his own legal challenges, echoed this sentiment, asserting that “the persecution of Ilir Meta is political.”
Once allied with Prime Minister Rama, Meta has now aligned with Berisha, accusing the current administration of establishing a “kleptocratic regime” and centralizing power across legislative, administrative, and judicial branches.
Meta’s political career spans decades, having held influential roles since the collapse of communism in Albania in 1991. His extensive resume includes positions as Prime Minister (1999-2002), Minister of Foreign Affairs (2009-2010), Minister of Economy (2010-2011), and Speaker of Parliament (2013-2017), culminating in his election as President in April 2017.
