Abused her office/ The former mayor of Libohova is sentenced to probation

2025-03-19 13:31:00, Aktualitet CNA

The Special Court of Appeals today upheld the First Instance decision sentencing former Libohova mayor Luiza Mandi to 8 months in prison. Mandi is accused of abuse of office.

The appeal decided to suspend the prison sentence, converting it to 1 year and 4 months of probation.

The hearing took place this Wednesday and the case was handled by a panel composed of judges Miliana Muça (presiding judge), Engert Pëllumbi (member) and Igerta Hysi (member).

The investigation into Mandi began after a complaint was filed by a citizen, who alleged that the municipality was developing a road expansion project on his family's property, and had contracted a construction company to carry out the work and develop the area. The citizen had found that the perimeter wall had also been extended to other areas of land owned by him.

Court announcement:

The Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, with a panel composed of judges Miliana Muça (presiding judge), Engert Pëllumbi (member) and Igerta Hysi (member), on 19.03.2025, announced the decision regarding the case registered with no. 12, date of registration 20.01.2025, on the appeal of the appellant/defendant LM, against decision no. 38, date 13.06.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, which decided:

The guilty plea of ??the defendant LM, for the criminal offense of “Abuse of office” and based on articles 49, 248 of the Criminal Code, her sentence to 1 (one) year of imprisonment.
Based on article 406 point 1 of the Criminal Code, the defendant LM, is reduced by 1/3 of the sentence, due to the application of the summary trial and is finally sentenced to 8 (eight) months of imprisonment.
The sentence shall begin to be served from the day of execution of this final decision, and shall be served in a regular security prison.
Based on article 35 paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code, the right of the defendant LM to exercise public functions for a period of 5 (five) years is revoked.
The procedural costs, those incurred during the investigation of the case in the amount of 120,000 (one hundred and twenty thousand) lek, as well as those of the trial, according to the form attached to this decision, shall be paid by the defendant LM.
In conclusion, the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime decided:

1. Enforcing decision no. 38, dated 13.06.2024 of the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime, with the following amendment:

- In application of Article 59 of the Criminal Code, the suspension of the execution of the prison sentence for the defendant LM is ordered and the placement on probation for a period of one year and four months, the defendant being obliged to maintain contact with the Gjirokastër Territorial Branch of the Probation Service, in whose jurisdiction she resides, on the condition that during the probation period she does not commit another criminal offense.

- Pursuant to Article 61 of the Criminal Code, the defendant LM is ordered to respond to the summons and requests of the bodies for the supervision of the trial.

2. The court costs in the appeal trial are borne by the defendant LM /CNA.