Admir Banaj relieved from duty

Amir Banaj was relieved from his duty as Ambassador of Albania to Saudi Arabia. Banaj’s name was mentioned in mid December, when Socialist MP Taulant Balla published a correspondence between him and businessman Zafar Ansar.

Top Channel has learned that the Foreign Ministry, with a letter addressed to the Albanian President on 11 December 2012, asked the Head of the State to relieve Ambassador Banaj from his duty.

According to the Foreign Ministry, the only reason of this proposition is the end of the mandate. The request of the Foreign Ministry was accepted by President Nishani and on 20 December 2012 he relieved Admir Banaj from his duty.

The opposition accused Ambassador Banaj of abusing with his power by becoming a mediator of the Prime Minister’s daughter law firm and businessman Zafar Ansar.

On January 15th, Ansar declared in an interview for Top Channel that Ambassador Banaj had introduced him to Argita Malltezi so that they could discuss about the construction of a 100 million EUR thermal power plant.

Ansar received an e-mail from Banaj, who advised him to cooperate with Argita Malltezi, due to her connections, her ability and dedication.

There are more than three correspondences exchanged between Banaj and Ansar. The opposition says that the Ambassador, on his own will or maybe obliged by others, has served as a connecting bridge between Argita Malltezi and Zafar Ansar, by violating the practices of a diplomat.

Top Channel has invited Mr. Banaj to give his version of the facts, but there has been no answer yet.

SP: The Prosecution must start investigations
 
SP considers the correspondence between Argita Malltezi and businessman Zafar Ansar as a very serious scandal.

MP Ermonela Felaj declared that rather than giving explanations, the Prime Minister’s daughter tries to slander the opposition.

“We have had facts and documents, and the public had the chance to listen a direct interview of the Paki businessman who was involved in this event. Mrs.Argita Berisha has not given any explanation, but has only launched ridiculous accusations against the opposition. Argita’s declarations lead us to understand that for her is very normal to use the power and signature of her father in exchange of 3 million EUR. But this is unacceptable for the law”, Felaj declared.

Felaj asked the Prosecution to start the investiagtions

“Mr. Zafar Ansar testified very clearly that the Prime Minister’s daughter was asking 3 million EUR from him, in exchange of her father’s signature. We appealed the Prosecution to start the investigations”, Felaj declared.

Top Channel