“Berisha protects Fazlic with police”
04/09/2011 15:20
Opposition’s parliamentary group demands urgent interview with Edi Rama after the crime investigation of RAI3 network 25/04 16:15
The name of the businessman Damir Fazlic is mentioned at least in 14 US
Embassy cables, including Berisha’s attempts for saving the
Serbian-Bosnian businessman from the Prosecution’s investigations.
The problematic that surrounds Damir Fazlic is treated in the cable sent on 14 October 2008 titled: “Berisha launches renewed assault on prosecutor general”, says:
“Beginning on October 10 and continuing over the weekend, Prime Minister Berisha and the Ministry of Justice began a new campaign to intimidate and obstruct the work of the Office of the Prosecutor General. Alleging that the PG’s Office had broken the law while trying last week to question Bosnian businessman Damir Fazlic, the Ministry of Justice first tried to seize prosecutor files relating to Fazlic, then the Interior Ministry threatened to file charges against two prosecutorial investigators involved in the Fazlic investigation. Finally, on October 13, Prime Minister Berisha gave a rambling and emotional press conference at which he strongly denied any government attempts to interfere with the work of the PG and instead accused the PG’s office of “undermining its own independence” through its failure to follow the law” the cable summarizes.
The cable also brings light on the real goal of Fazlic’s TV appearance for explaining his side of the story for the accusations against him.
“In an effort to both clear his name and to stick a finger in the eye of the opposition, Berisha arranged to have Fazlic fly to Tirana on October 9 to give a TV interview to the pro-GOA Klan TV.
When prosecutors heard on October 9 that Fazlic had arrived in Tirana on a private jet, they immediately drafted a request that Fazic appear for questioning.
Tipped off by police who were escorting Fazlic around town, Fazlic made a dash to the airport where he departed Tirana one hour earlier than planned”, the cable continues.
The US Embassy comments this event to Washington based on several sources, saying this attack on the Prosecutor General’s Office is just the latest attempt to derail a number of ongoing investigations. The first investigation is Gerdec, with the second being serious corruption allegations against Foreign Minister Basha and the Durres-Kukes road project, stemming from Basha’s time as Minister of Transportation and Public Works.
Given the politically explosive nature of these ongoing investigations, Berisha has ample reason to continue and even increase pressure on the PG’s Office.
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