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Albania High Court Reviews Kosovo Highway
Tirana | 27 February 2009 |
Albanian Foreign Minister Lulzim Basha
Basha’s lawyer sought the dismissal of the charges over a series of technicalities, arguing that his client had not been indicted properly, while prosecutors claimed that the process had been according to the law.
The court is expected to take a decision on the dismissal appeal on March 16. Outside the court house Basha called his indictment " fables from the office of the General Prosecutor."
The 61 kilometre-long Rreshen-Kalimash section of the Albanian- Kosovo highway is costing Albania €1.027 billion, according to the charges filed against Basha.
However, because the highway is not yet finished, its final cost could rise further. The Rreshen-Kalimash section is only a part of the 170 kilometre highway. Albania’s government has declined to give a clear estimate of the final costs of the road.
Basha, who has been charged with abuse of power and breaking tender rules relating to the construction project and risks up to 12 years in prison, has denied any wrongdoing and says that the accusations against him are politically motivated and unpatriotic.
The prosecution says irregularities in the case has so far cost Albanian taxpayers some €230 million, an estimate based on the average price of construction material and labour costs in comparison to what Albania is paying to build the road.
