Prosecutors accuse Berisha, 79, of using his influence as prime minister from 2005 to 2009 to support his son-in-law in privatizing state land. Mr Berisha has denied any wrongdoing.
Former Albanian President Sali Berisha at an event in Tirana, Albania on December 21, 2023. Photo: Reuters
Mr Berisha, who heads Albania's largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, has denied the prosecutor's charges and accused current Prime Minister Edi Rama of carrying out a political attack on the opposition.
“The court has accepted the prosecution’s request by changing the previous measure and has now ordered Berisha to be placed under house arrest without the possibility of leaving the country,” Berisha’s lawyer Genc Gjokutaj said after the court’s decision.
Gjokutaj said Mr Berisha would appeal the sentence, which came after the court found he had breached an order to appear before authorities twice a week.
“House arrest or not, with or without police at the door, nothing will separate me from you,” Mr Berisha told his supporters in a Facebook message shortly after the decision.
Mr. Berisha served as President of Albania from 1992 to 1997, and as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2013.
In 2021, the US banned Mr Berisha and his family from entering the country, with the US State Department accusing him of being involved in “corruption”. However, Mr Berisha denied all allegations.
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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