Tedi Blushi,
Meta’s spokesperson, called the arrest "inappropriate" and claimed it
would be "condemned by all patriotic and honest Albanians." His
comments came in response to images circulating in the media showing masked
police removing Meta from a vehicle as he appeared to resist, before being
taken away in a special forces van.
“This government will pay the price in
every street and in every square,” Blushi warned when asked if protests were
expected in reaction to Meta's arrest.
Meta, 55, is facing accusations of
corruption, money laundering, and concealing wealth, charges stemming from an
investigation led by Albania’s Special Prosecutor for Corruption (SPAK).
Meta served as president from 2017 to 2022
and has previously held the roles of prime minister and parliamentary speaker.
He initially rose to the presidency with the support of Prime Minister Edi
Rama’s ruling Socialist Party, but relations between the two soured during
Meta's presidency. The Socialist Party attempted to remove Meta from office
twice—once in 2019 for blocking local elections, and again in 2021 for
allegedly interfering in general elections.
Meta is not the only opposition figure
under legal scrutiny. Last month, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha was also
indicted on corruption charges related to his time as prime minister, charges
he has denied. The Democratic Party has accused Prime Minister Rama of
targeting opposition figures through legal proceedings, a claim the government
rejects.
Tensions have been rising between the
ruling Socialist Party and the opposition, with protests erupting in September
following the sentencing of Democratic Party member Ervin Salianji to prison.
Demonstrators set fire to chairs outside the parliament, signaling growing
unrest in Albania's political landscape.
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