The court hearing against Ilir Meta was accompanied by another wave of political accusations and claims of influence over the justice system. The former president, held in pretrial detention on three charges, insisted on his version that the SPAK investigation against him has been influenced by external factors, while Monika Kryemadhi openly lined up in support of that position.
Meta repeats accusations against Yuri Kim and McGonigal
During the hearing, Ilir Meta repeated his claim that the proceedings against him are not an independent process, but one influenced by Charles McGonigal and former US ambassador Yuri Kim.
Along this line of defense, Meta harshly attacked Yuri Kim, describing her as an “sworn enemy of Albania and in the service of Serbia.” This is a political accusation which, up to this stage of the process, remains part of his defense position in the courtroom.
Kryemadhi supports Meta’s version
Monika Kryemadhi, who is in the same case file, declared that Meta is telling the truth. She also supported his claim that, when he was president, he had been put under pressure by diplomatic representatives regarding the decree for the Constitutional Court.
According to her statement, Meta had been threatened not to decree Marsida Xhaferllari, but another name, Arta Vorpsi. Kryemadhi said she had personally conveyed this message to the State Department, presenting as fact their version of interference through embassies.
Objections to evidence and request for expert review
During the day, Kryemadhi concluded her submissions, which had begun back in July and were presented personally by her. She challenged the evidence related to lobbying with G.S.I.S. and requested a financial expert review of the documents.
For his part, Meta asked that the conviction and sentencing decision against Kastriot Ismailaj also be admitted into the process as new evidence, along with the taking of additional testimony at the Department of Justice. These moves show that the defense is attempting to shift the focus of the debate from the specific charges to the claim of a politically motivated process.
The defense calls it a political process, SPAK expected to respond
Along the same lines, Tedi Blushi said that there is no evidence and no criminal facts against Meta, claiming that not a single illegal penny and no illegal assets have been seized. According to him, this is a political process dictated by Edi Rama and a deliberate continuation of pretrial detention.
The next hearing has been set for November 26. At that time, SPAK is expected to present its objections and it should become clear how the trial will proceed, whether through the admission of documentary evidence or the calling of witnesses.
At this stage, the court is faced not only with verifying the evidence, but also with the sharp political clash that the parties are trying to transfer into the criminal process.
Claims of interference and conspiracy remain statements by the defense, while their weight will be tested against the evidence and objections that will be presented in the hearings ahead.