Record-braking trial delay
13/04/2012 00:00
Linda Rama: Between Family, Work and Albania’s Future 18/08 14:30
This is the trial that has broken the record as the longest penal
process in the history of Albania. The trial is against the former
National Guard commander, Xhahit Xhaferri, and the Chief Operative Arjan
Cenga, accused of rebellion and desertion in 1997.
The case of the two former military people, sentenced many years ago by the Tirana Court and Court of Appeal, was returned for a review in 2009 by the Supreme Court. Althugh three years have passed, the trial is still it its initial phase.
Sources from the Court confirmed for Top Channel that now, after 15 years, most of the witnesses are unreachable. The Court has asked the police to find the witnesses, but it has resulted useless. The trial has only 15 witnesses, while 50 others are to be heard, including the former Interior Minister, Belul Celo.
Top Channel monitored the trial and it resulted that most of the sessions are postponed due to the absence of the witnesses.
The defendants are represented by two lawyers provided by the state, which means that they are being trialed in absence. This will serve in the future as a reason for turning the case for another review, for not being able to notify the parties.
Top Channel
