Albanian judge arrested on suspicion of corruption. An Appeal Court judge has been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe for overruling a decision in favour of a person convicted for murder. He re-categorized the charge downgrading it to physical injuries and consequently the offender was released. The judge who formerly sat at the High Council of Justice was arrested at his home after a year of proactive investigation lead by the Serious Crimes Prosecution Office. During the search at his house, the Police found and seized 174,810 EUR, 10,149,000 Albanian lek and 1,000 US dollars. According to the Police statement ‘Investigations are continuing to find out if other persons are implicated in this illegal activity”.
In early November, Albania finally started the process of vetting (re-evaluation of judges and prosecutors), to assess their assets, any possible connection with crime and corruption and their professional performance. The first results of the evaluations will come out in December.