Albania Ex-PM Acquitted of Corruption Charges

The court ruled that there were no evidence to convict Meta, who was accused by a former economy minister of trying to influence him over the tender.

Prosecutors had sought a two-year prison sentence and a one million lek (€8300) fine for the former premier.

Meta was charged with corruption in May after a video was broadcast appearing to show him discussing corrupt deals with former economy minister, Dritan Prifti.

Transcripts from the video appeared to show Meta asking Prifti, the former economy minister, to intervene in a hydropower plant concession tender. Meta also appeared to mention a bribe by a businessman of €700,000.

The former prime minister also appeared to ask Prifti to hire activists of his own party, the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI. The LSI is the junior partner in the government of Prime Minister Sali Berisha. It controls the ministries of economy, foreign affairs and health.

Although it only holds four parliamentary seats, the LSI came out as a kingmaker in the 2009 parliamentary elections, which were narrowly won by Berisha’s right-wing Democratic Party.

Meta is head of the LSI, and at the time of the recording was both deputy prime minister and foreign minister. The tape also appeared to show him boasting about having influenced a Supreme Court trial involving the same hydropower plant.

Ilir Meta has repeatedly denied allegations of corruption.