Manja presents the SP's position on Balluk: Allegations that the Assembly is obstructing justice are political

2026-03-09 10:33:00, Politikë CNA

Manja presents the SP's position on Balluk: Allegations that the Assembly

Socialist Party MP and Chairman of the Laws Committee, Ulsi Manja, presented at the meeting of the SP parliamentary group the majority report regarding the request of the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime for the authorization of the Assembly regarding MP Belinda Balluku.

Manja stated that in assessing SPAK's request, the majority focused on the need for the security measure and whether the legal conditions for its imposition are met, including the risk of evidence destruction or departure from the country. He emphasized that the report was based on the evidence and reasoning presented by SPAK, but without making a direct assessment of the evidence.

According to Manja, the role of the Assembly is not to judge the evidence, but to conduct a constitutional review of whether the prosecution's request is in accordance with the procedure. He announced that a joint report with the opposition was not reached, as the parties have different positions on the role that the Assembly should have in this process.

"The opposition report defends the thesis that the Assembly should be limited to a formal verification only and not interfere in the assessment of the security measure. According to us, this approach is not consistent with Article 73 of the Constitution," said Manja.

He added that this article gives the Assembly a role that is not merely formal in granting or not authorizing the lifting of the immunity of a deputy. According to him, the consideration of the request by the Assembly is an essential process to guarantee respect for the rights and freedoms of its members.

Manja also emphasized that immunity from arrest and criminal prosecution of MPs no longer exists since the constitutional amendments of 2012. He announced that there has been a criminal investigation against Balluk since August 2024 and that she is currently under a travel ban.

"The claims that the Assembly, while taking care to guarantee equality before the law and the independence of the investigation, obstructs justice, have no legal basis, but are political allegations," Manja concluded./ CNA