Former Albanian President Ilir Meta Arrested on Money Laundering Charges

Former Albanian President Ilir Meta was arrested on Monday in Tirana over allegations of money laundering, as confirmed by his spokesperson. Meta, who leads the opposition Freedom Party, was detained after returning from Kosovo, according to local media reports.

Tedi Blushi, Meta's spokesperson, described the arrest as "inappropriate" and suggested it would be condemned by "all patriotic and honest Albanians." His remarks followed the release of images showing masked police officers forcibly removing Meta from a vehicle, during which he appeared to resist arrest, before being taken away in a special forces van.

Blushi warned, "This government will pay the price in every street and in every square," when asked about the potential for protests in response to Meta's arrest.

The charges against Meta, who is 55 years old, include corruption, money laundering, and concealing wealth, stemming from an investigation conducted by Albania’s Special Prosecutor for Corruption (SPAK).

Meta served as president from 2017 to 2022 and has also held positions as prime minister and parliamentary speaker. Initially, he gained the presidency with the support of the ruling Socialist Party led by Prime Minister Edi Rama. However, their relationship soured during his presidency, with the Socialist Party attempting to remove him from office on two occasions—first in 2019 for blocking local elections and again in 2021 for allegedly interfering in general elections.

Meta is not alone in facing legal challenges; last month, Sali Berisha, the leader of the Democratic Party, was indicted on corruption charges linked to his tenure as prime minister, which he has denied. The Democratic Party has accused Prime Minister Rama of targeting opposition figures through legal means, a claim that the government refutes.

Tensions between the ruling Socialist Party and the opposition have escalated, with protests erupting in September following the sentencing of Democratic Party member Ervin Salianji to prison. Demonstrators have expressed their discontent by setting fire to chairs outside the parliament, reflecting growing unrest in Albania's political landscape.