Hand: Full investigation for January 21st

25/01/2012 18:50

The Councilor of the American Committee of Helsinki, Bob Hand, greeted
the latest developments about the January 21st investigations in
Albania, after the arrival of the FBI forensic report.

In an interview for VOA, Hand expressed his hope that the investigative process will go until the end, in order to increase the trust of the Albanian justice.

“First of all, I am happy to see that there has been progress with the investigations, and that I hope that is leading to the arrests of the people who are responsible for the killings of one year ago. It took a long time and I am sure that people in Albania are looking forward to the conclusions, by using this long period for criticizing the entire process”, Hand declared.

“But this is a very serious matter, and the fact that the FBI was involved in the investigation shows that it is credible and serious. We cannot judge them, because every suspect is innocent until proven guilty, but let us hope that this process will bring a greater trust for the Albanian judicial system. I think that the Prosecution General announcement, and the fact that the US Ambassador was together with her, is a very good sign”, he underlined.

Asked about the attacks against the General Prosecutor and the other Albanian Constitutional institutions, Hand declared that he is against the harsh political rhetoric. According to him, the institutions should be left to exert their duty uninfluenced.

“I am very worried when I hear high tones in a rhetoric that attacks specific individuals, the General Prosecutor, the President or the opposition leader, while the institutions are making their duty. It is normal to have conflicts between different institutions, but accusing for a coup or threatening that you will prosecute high rank officials after their mandate, is certainly not useful”, Hand declared.

According to him, with this rhetoric, the Prime Minister and the government officials would only increase the mistrust for their ability to lead Albania, and this would be regrettable.

“I think that the Albanian politics needs less personalization and a better understanding for these institutions, which, although not perfect, try do make their job and they should be allowed to do it”, Hand underlined, after commenting the interventions of the Socialist leader, Edi Rama.

According to him, the FBI involvement should give to the investigation a bigger credibility and make the big parties, the DP and the SP to keep a respectful stance toward the process, rather than engaging in rhetoric.

“As for Edi Rama’s comments, he is not the Prosecutor. He has the right to express his opinions, but he must understand that there are responsibilities when being in opposition. He is the political leader of an Albanian political side, and represents the people of the country. Together with this there is the need for a responsible behavior”, Hand added.

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