Prime Minister Edi Rama appeared today in the capacity of Prime Minister of Albania before the Supreme Court, which began the first session of the trial against MP Edi Paloka, leader of the Democratic Party parliamentary group, accused of defamation.

MP Palooka’s claims were considered by Prime Minister Rama slanders that seriously jeopardize the institution of the Prime Minister of Albania. For this reason, Prime Minister Rama stated in this first session, which by law was a reconciliation session, that “there is nothing personal and therefore no reconciliation is possible.” The Prime Minister stated that the allegations seriously affect the image of the Prime Minister of Albania, and the public opinion is entitled to know the truth about these charges brought by the respondent. The Prime Minister urged a fair and impartial trial for the parties, because the public should know who is the Prime Minister of Albania today. I’m not here for personal charges, the Prime Minister underlined in his propounding, but I came as Prime Minister of Albania and it is upon your judgment to find the person responsible. This is a national and public interest and not personal one.

 

Statement of Prime Minister Rama after the first session in the Supreme Court:

First, it was an opportunity to see the deteriorated conditions of the Supreme Court building and to understand that one of the most important courts in the country works in such conditions that are beyond imagination. This makes me repeat what I said in the very beginning, without seeing it from the inside, that we will do our best to conclude our plan for the rehabilitation of this Court as soon as possible. Thus, the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court will get what they deserve in terms of conditions.

Secondly, pursuant to the law this was a reconciliation session between two persons who are face to face. For me there is nothing to reconcile upon, because this is not a personal issue. It is not a charge brought for a dispute between two people, but it is a necessity for the public to know the truth, only the truth and nothing but the truth. If the party that forced me to address to the court proves anything from all has said, the public should know because this is about the Prime Minister of Albania. But the public should also know whether these charges by the responded have been brought for damaging the integrity of the institution of the Prime Minister. I have said since the beginning, when I decided to initiate these proceedings, that it is about time to end the politics of blackmail, of mud, of denigration and of the daily teasing of the public opinion. It is about time that courts take their role of impartial and independent arbitrator to serve the public opinion and judge upon any accusation and any claim.

 

Mr. Rama will you be present in the other sessions?

What is your evidence, Mr. Rama?

Prime Minister Rama: Our civilization has resolved the matter of proof since the Roman times. The burden of proof is upon the accuser and not upon the accused. While on the other hand, I will thoroughly follow this process and I will attend every court hearing, because I owe this to the Albanian public opinion and to all those citizens who are sick because of the daily poison produced by the grass of SHQUP.