Albanian MPs demand publication of Constitutional Court ruling on ex‑President Ilir Meta

Members of the Freedom Party wrote to the Albanian Constitutional Court urging it to respect legal deadlines and publish the full decision issued on 8 April 2026 that upheld the arrest of former President Ilir Meta. The letter, signed by Tedi Blushi, Edmond Haxhinasto, Erisa Xhixho and Brunilda Haxhiu, states that “every unjustified delay in publishing the decision … would constitute a violation of the standards of a regular legal process”.

The Court had earlier rejected Meta’s appeal against the “arrest with prison” measure and dismissed other claims, finding the measure lawful and proportionate. Meta has been held in pre‑trial detention since October 2024 on charges of corruption, money‑laundering and failure to declare assets.

A second report from the Albanian Helsinki Committee notes that pre‑detention rights include the ability to communicate with the media, and that Meta has repeatedly faced bans on interviews despite permits from the Special Prosecution Office. The Committee stresses that “the law recognises the right of pre‑detention persons to communicate with the media” and recommends secure digital platforms such as Zoom to enable interviews while maintaining security.