"Gërdeci"/Mediu "breaks down" in front of the black squads: The judgment against me is contrary to the laws, I am morally responsible

2023-11-30 10:47:00, Aktualitet CNA

"Gërdeci"/Mediu "breaks down" in front of the black

The former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, has rejected the accusations against the black squads for the powerful explosion that occurred in Gërdec in March 2015.

In front of the jury at GJKKO, the former minister emphasized that the accusations against him are baseless and that the determination of the place of demolition was not determined by him.

"Even though, neither intentionally nor negligently, it is not my actions or inactions, or my personal interest, that caused or influenced the explosion in Gërdec, again as the Minister of Defense, I have recognized and accepted yesterday and today I accept my full moral responsibility for what happened", said the minister, among other things.

The Minister further underlines that the re-opening of the criminal case against him and the trial that is being held are clearly in violation of the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedural Code, the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as the European Convention on Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms.

In his testimony, he underlined that since that day, the weight of the pain and suffering of the family members who lost their loved ones has been heavy on his mind and soul, and he would very much like that tragedy not to happen.

Full proof:

Since March 15, 2008, the lives of some of the people who are in this hall today have changed radically. After the explosion in Gërdec, many of them experienced serious events, up to the tragic loss of their loved ones. This tragic event also changed my life and that of my family quite a bit. Since that day, the weight of the pain and suffering of these families has been heavy in my mind and soul, to whom I humbly apologize again for what happened and express all my deep human regret.

Although, neither intentionally nor negligently, it is not my actions or inactions, or my personal interest, that caused or influenced the explosion in Gërdec, again as the Minister of Defense, I have recognized and accepted yesterday and I accept today my full moral responsibility for what happened.

In reflection of this responsibility, as well as out of great pain for the lives lost, I resigned from the position of Minister of Defense.

I am sorry that the act of my resignation as a minister and then my humble behavior and attitude regarding the tragedy, certain political and non-political groups, have seen as an act and behavior of weakness and as a reflection of a guilty individual. I have chosen to be sparing in my public explanations and avoid talking about the event as much as possible.

With the conviction that my explanations and truths about the event, for the Durdaj family and others, would not only not be a relief of their pain, but on the contrary.

For the families of the victims and the injured in Gërdec, the state is responsible for not protecting the lives of their family members. And for them, the state in this case is the Minister.

Therefore, I have nothing to say against them. I would very much like to undo what happened, but I have no strength, except to express to you once again, the great regret and deep regret for what you suffered from the tragedy of March 15.

Apart from family members, everyone else has a moral obligation, but when the case is also an institutional obligation, to make the evaluation and judgment about that event based only on facts. Above all, this obligation is for the prosecution and the court, as two competent institutions that legally assess the criminal responsibilities of the individual.

It is completely clear that the re-opening of the criminal case in my charge and even more so the continuation of this trial, is openly contrary to the Criminal Code and the Criminal Procedural Code, to the Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia, as well as to the European Convention on the Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of Man.

I want to believe that the drive to reopen this case and continue the trial is not political and that you do not have or support political interests in this process. As a prosecutor and judge, it is clear that you do not lack professional ability and knowledge of criminal law and beyond. Therefore, you must have the courage to strictly respect the law and only the law", stated Mediu in the courtroom.

This is the first time that former defense minister Mediu has appeared in the hearings against him, since the start of the process.

SPAK reopened the investigation into the case and accuses Fatmir Mediu of "Misuse of duty" carried out in cooperation, "Misuse of duty" in cooperation with a military subject-command cadre for the explosion in the weapons dismantling "factory" where 26 people were killed. /CNA