In 2016, Albania embarked on an ambitious reform of its justice system, touted as a transformative effort to root out corruption and restore public confidence. The reform, financed and backed by the European Union and the United States, was meant to be a landmark project in the Balkan region, creating a judiciary that was transparent, independent, and efficient. However, as the years have passed, the reality on the ground suggests that the reform has, in many ways, fallen short of its lofty goals. Critics argue that while the reform may have achieved isolated successes, the justice system remains under the influence of a deeply entrenched political elite—specifically, Albania’s ruling Socialist Party.
A system still gripped by corruption?
The Albanian justice reform promised to bring about the long-awaited accountability for corrupt officials, heralding a new era of clean governance. Indeed, some high-profile convictions have occurred, including the imprisonment of former members of the Socialist Party government on corruption charges. However, the very political figures often accused of the gravest abuses remain conspicuously untouched by the reform. Notably, figures such as Erion Veliaj, the powerful mayor of Tirana, have evaded serious scrutiny despite ongoing allegations of involvement in high-level corruption, including the infamous “5D” construction scandal and the Tirana incinerators case.
Veliaj’s case, frequently highlighted by opposition forces, exemplifies the uneven application of justice in the country. The accusations, centering on illicit tendering and abuse of municipal contracts, remain largely unaddressed by the judiciary. Although several of Veliaj’s close associates have been implicated and arrested, he has managed to retain his political standing. His influence, coupled with his party’s dominance, raises fundamental questions about the actual independence of the justice system in post-reform Albania.
The justice reform: A cover for western endorsement?
Prime Minister Edi Rama has frequently lauded the reform’s achievements, emphasizing that Albania has fulfilled the prerequisites to advance toward EU membership. In his public statements, he underscores that the reform has led to unprecedented investigations into high-profile political figures and that institutions are making significant strides. “We now see political figures judged regardless of their connections,” Rama declared in a recent press conference, referring to the trials of former government officials.
But can a handful of convictions be touted as proof of success when the system continues to fail in key areas? The current state of Albania’s judiciary suggests that reform was less about establishing genuine accountability and more about securing international approval. For Brussels and Washington, the reform provides a convenient narrative: Albania is now a country that can rein in corruption, even if the reality paints a far more complex and troubling picture. The international community can point to “results”—the arrests of several former officials—as evidence of progress, but the most egregious political cases are left unresolved. The cases of Fredi Beleri, a mayoral candidate imprisoned during an election, and the opposition figure Ervin Salianji, facing politically motivated charges, are seen by many as miscarriages of justice, ignored by the very institutions that the reform was supposed to empower.
Double standards in Albanian justice
One of the starkest criticisms of the justice reform is the perception of a two-tiered system of justice. On one hand, ordinary citizens and low-level officials face harsh penalties for relatively minor offenses. The well-publicized “Tire” case, involving hospital staff caught extorting patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, ended with severe prison sentences for nurses and cleaning staff. Their crime? Charging bribes for services to desperate families at the height of the health crisis.
In contrast, those implicated in large-scale corruption, involving millions of euros in state losses, seem to be treated with remarkable leniency. A recent example is the case of Arlind Gjokutaj, a former finance ministry official implicated in a scheme that cost the state 1.2 million euros. Despite the gravity of the offense, prosecutors only sought a two-year prison sentence. Such leniency for high-ranking officials involved in major financial crimes stands in sharp contrast to the severe sentences handed down to minor offenders, reinforcing the perception that the justice system is fundamentally biased in favor of the powerful.
Political influence and judicial paralysis
This selective application of justice fuels growing skepticism about whether Albania’s judiciary can ever be truly independent while under the shadow of a dominant political force. The Socialist Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rama, has been accused of manipulating the justice system to protect its key figures while using it as a tool to suppress political opposition. Such claims are difficult to dismiss when cases involving major corruption scandals linked to powerful party members seem to stall, while investigations and prosecutions against opposition figures proceed with alarming speed.
The recent case of Fredi Beleri, a mayoral candidate from the opposition, jailed shortly before a crucial election, epitomizes the political weaponization of the justice system. Beleri’s arrest, based on allegations that many believe to be politically motivated, drew widespread criticism from opposition leaders and civil society groups. Similarly, Ervin Salianji, another opposition figure, has faced what many see as politically charged charges, further undermining the credibility of the judiciary.
The justice reform’s unfinished business
The justice reform was supposed to be a historic turning point for Albania, breaking the grip of corrupt political elites on the judiciary and building a fair, transparent, and independent legal system. However, the reform’s implementation has exposed its limitations, revealing a system still prone to political interference and favoritism. The EU and the United States, which have invested significant resources in the reform, must confront the uncomfortable reality that, despite some success stories, Albania’s judiciary remains far from truly independent.
Until Albania can ensure that its justice system applies the law impartially, regardless of political affiliation or social status, the reform will remain an unfinished project. The question remains: was the justice reform a genuine effort to transform the system, or was it merely a diplomatic exercise to provide Western bureaucrats with a convenient success story? For many Albanians, the answer seems increasingly clear—without deeper, more meaningful changes, the justice system will continue to serve the interests of the powerful while failing to deliver justice for all.
* This article is an editorial piece by the aktualitet.al team and represents our perspective on the challenges and impacts of the justice reform in Albania, based on an analysis of recent developments and their implications for the country’s judicial system.