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On Tuesday, December 26, the Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKK) will decide on the fate of MP Sali Berisha.After the approval of the authorization by the Assembly for the removal of Sali Berisha's freedom, SPAK (Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime) addressed the Court on December 22, requesting the tightening of security measures for the former prime minister, who is being investigated under suspicion of corruption in the privatization of the former sports club "Partizani".In the request addressed to GJKKO, the Special Prosecutor's Office requests the measure of "house arrest". The law gives the Court 5 days to consider SPAK's request, and judge Irena Gjoka is expected to call the parties in Tuesday's court session, on the one hand SPAK prosecutors and on the other hand the person under investigation Sali Berisha and his lawyers.Respecting Christmas Day, the session at GJKKO takes place on Tuesday, after the Parliament cleared the way for SPAK to arrest MP Sali Berisha, as a coercive measure against him, since earlier, the former prime minister refused to implement the decision of the special court, which had determined the measure of the obligation to appear and prohibition to leave the country. In the plenary session of December 21, the Parliament, amid tensions, voted to grant authorization to SPAK.SPAK turned to the Special Court, after Sali Berisha contested the first decision to oblige him to appear, considering it unconstitutional. In Berisha's legal and constitutional opinion, the initial measure in charge of him could not be implemented, since SPAK had not previously received authorization from the Parliament. But SPAK remained of the opinion that the measure to compel appearance was of a character that is considered a restriction and not a deprivation of liberty.

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Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj has congratulated this Sunday, on Christmas eve, his fellow citizens, expressing enthusiasm for the projects that await the Albanian capital in 2024.Through a video message, Veliaj described 2023 that is coming to an end as an exceptional year for Tirana, with a very positive balance, thanks to the contribution and energy of its citizens."These are the last days of an extraordinary, wonderful year for Tirana. I am proud of everything we have achieved together, starting from the generous reception of over 10 million tourists, most of whom visited Tirana and then our entire country, up to the nurseries, kindergartens and new schools we built for the children of this city. this year. Without forgetting here also big projects like the Pyramid, whose transformation took the front pages of many world media, and which today lives on from the voices of children and young people, as the biggest school in the Balkans for the jobs of the future", he underlined.Veliaj added that if this spirit of solidarity and cooperation continues, the best days for Tirana will be ahead of us."We have done a lot, really, but I am convinced that if we continue like this, united and in solidarity, with our sleeves rolled up, supporting each other during the coming year, we will do even more and the days we will have the best for Tirana ahead of us. Therefore, today I want to congratulate each of you, who every day gives unsparingly his energy for the life of this city. I want to stop at the health staff, the police, firefighters, city workers, teachers, educators, everyone who gives life to our city with their wonderful work", emphasizes Veliaj.Mayor of the Albanian capital expressed his conviction that 2024 will be the best year for Tirana, just as the one we left behind was the best to date, marking a history of success in many areas."I have no doubt that the year 2024 will be the best year for Tirana, just as the one we left was the best until today. After an extraordinary success, where Tirana was the European Youth Capital last year, this year we are closing another extraordinary title as the European City of Sport. A success story where we saw boys and girls engage in sports activities as we saw elite athletes excel in their disciplines. In the meantime, we can't wait for next year Tirana to be the epicenter of all municipalities in the region, as the B40 Presidency. We just received another good news that in 2025, Tirana will be the Mediterranean Capital of Culture. Between youth, art, culture and Tirana as the European title of our European Albania in the Balkans, I am really proud of the work of each of you. Many tasks and many good plans and projects await us with positive energy and with perseverance we can achieve them and realize them with great success", Veliaj declared.In his video message, Veliaj wished everyone a happy and prosperous year in their families."Every citizen of Tirana, wherever he lives, in the corners of this huge city, I wish that his table and heart are full these days. I wish you to spend beautiful holidays with your dearest people, those who may have returned from emigration, having them by your side, and see only success in your life and for your families. To everyone who, for one reason or another, had a misfortune or lost a loved one this year, I wish them to become stronger, to move forward without stopping, without giving up. I wish all the children who will be born a long life and welcome to our city, where they will grow up with love and warmth", concluded Veliaj's message.

The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, in the year-end meeting with the members of the Municipal Council, said that the budget of the Municipality of Tirana for 2024 is 10 times larger than the one that was found by the previous administration. He expressed regret for the scenes created by the opposition at the council meeting."I treat with great respect the vote of those who have supported us, just as I also respect the conviction of those who do not think like us, because I say that we must work harder to move Tirana forward. But, when you see some colleagues who have no problem mocking and treating the citizen's vote with no respect, - what does it matter how few you are, maybe you don't have the numbers, but you have the opportunity to make a difference in quality, to give an alternative proposal, to say a budget according to your point of view, a tax system according to your point of view, an investment plan according to your ideas, - it is unfortunate," said Veliaj.The Mayor added that in contrast to the behaviour of the opposition councillors, Tirana is being taken seriously by European leaders who have declared it the capital of Youth, Sports and Culture."Very serious people sit down when they discuss who will be the European Youth Capital, very serious people sit down in Brussels to discuss who deserves the title of European City of Sports, very serious people also sit down and say: Who will we give this title of Mediterranean Capital of Culture? When you see that the world takes you so seriously and meanwhile, a part of politics just mocks the citizens and just uses them as fodder in this culture of swearing and division, even on Christmas Eve, why should it be like this? I don't know who planted this curse! It seems like Rozafa's curse that some brothers had to build the wall, others would tear it down," said Veliaj.He added that the tensions in the parliament are also moving to the Municipal Council, as an ugly copy and a small part of politics.

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Special Prosecutor's Office (SPAK) has filed an appeal in the High Court for Jamarbër Malltez, requesting his return to prison, as reported Friday.

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