Albania: Court orders trial of Ilir Meta to proceed without defense lawyers

The Special Court Against Corruption (GJKKO) has ruled that the judicial process for former President Ilir Meta and Monika Kryemadhi will proceed without the presence of defense lawyers, effective October 29. This decision follows a boycott by lawyers, including two court-appointed legal aid attorneys who refused to participate. The court rejected the lawyers' arguments and imposed fines of 20,000 lek for the selected defense attorneys and 5,000 lek for the legal aid attorneys.

During the session, Ilir Meta stated he is prepared to defend himself, characterizing the situation as a tactic to delay proceedings. Meta also alleged that the absence of the original prosecutors was a deliberate attempt to suspend his pre-trial detention deadlines, noting that a different prosecutor was sent to represent SPAK instead.

Meta further criticized the political climate, suggesting the conflict between the GJKKO and the Chamber of Lawyers is an orchestrated political move by the current administration.