Albania’s former health minister, Ilir Beqaj, under investigation for alleged corruption, has been instructed by prosecutors to regularly report to the police and is prohibited from leaving the country. The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime prosecutors specified that Beqaj must report every Friday, and he is barred from using his passport or identity card for international travel. The special prosecution agency, established in 2019, focuses on cases involving corruption and other crimes committed by senior officials. Beqaj, 55, who served as health minister from 2013-2017, resigned from his position coordinating international assistance amid accusations of corruption and abuse of power related to a government project on medical item sterilization. Despite denying the allegations, Beqaj has pledged to comply with prosecutors’ orders. Corruption remains a significant challenge in post-communist Albania, impacting democratic, economic, and social development. The country has seen increased efforts by new judicial institutions to investigate corruption cases involving former government officials.
By FCCT Editorial Team