Sali Berisha denies land‑ownership claims as Albanian protests mount
Former prime minister and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha publicly refuted accusations that his family acquired 63 hectares of land in Divjakë, calling the allegations “a complete lie and a disgusting slander.”
Berisha also alleged that a criminal group linked to the trafficking of 50 tonnes of cocaine bought 15,000 m² of coastal land in Jalë for only €54,000, describing the transactions as evidence of a “narcostate” under Edi Rama.
His statements came amid protests in Tirana, where demonstrators demanded answers over alleged land grabs and government corruption. Berisha expressed support for the youth protests and denounced the accusations as part of a campaign to divert attention from other issues.
Socialist MP Ardit Bido reacted to an incident at the protest, saying there are “two types of protesters”: those who leave with clear demands and clean up afterwards, and a second group that resorts to aggression and verbal violence. He condemned the latter as destabilising.
In a further exchange, Berisha accused Bido of manipulating state archives and being involved in irregular land deals. Bido rejected the claims, labeling them partisan attacks and insisting he has “no skeletons in the closet.”