National Guard members discharged

26/10/2013 00:00

As warned, a reform has started at the National Guard. With the
proposition of the National Guard Commander, Gramoz Sako, the Interior
Minister Saimir Tahiri has signed the order to discharge of eight
effectives, including the group of officers who are thought to have
opened fire against the crowd during the protest of January 21st in
2011.

One source said for Top Channel that they are verifying how some officers in this institution have climbed career steps after the June 23rd elections, and 18 others are expecting to be discharged for not showing up on duty.

Sources say officer Fatos Skeja has been discharged from the National Guard for breaking the discipline and his vows. Skeja has been recently engaged in the Special Units, but he was previously known as a first bodyguard and of former Prime Minister Berisha’s family, but also under investigation in a case of extortion in Tirana.

Two other leaders have been discharged, such as the former bodyguard of the Albanian Commander, Ilir Duraku, and the former commander of the Special Unit, Agron Malaj, known as member in what has been identified as the group that opened fire against the January 21st protesters.

Vice Captain Marjana Prendi, the wife of the former National Guard Commander, Ndrea Prendi, has also been discharged. Sources say that the motivation for this decision was the fact that they have traveled abroad without permission from the Interior Minister, a regulation that is clearly defined by the law.

The Director of the Guard of Personalities, Bashkim Boletini, has also been discharged.

In September, during the presentation ceremony of the new National Guard leader, the Interior Minister, Saimir Tahiri, declared that within 100 days they would close the reforming process in this institution, which will not depend anymore from the Interior Ministry, but from the General State Police.

Top Channel