The National Bar Association of Albania has reacted strongly to the arrest of lawyer Ulian Barjami by the Elbasan Police on the orders of the Prosecutor's Office. According to the Chamber, the arrest is related to statements the lawyer made while performing his duties in the courtroom, warning of charges for falsifying evidence against the prosecutor.
This action has been described as an unprecedented act and a serious violation of the rights of defense and freedom of expression. The Chamber calls on the justice institutions to intervene immediately to stop this flagrant violation. In the statement, it emphasizes that Albania must remain a state of law and not a “Republic of Prosecutors”.
Position of the Albanian Bar Association
We are dealing with the arrest of a lawyer due to his statements in the defense in the courtroom, with his statement — that he will file a report for falsification of evidence against the prosecutor — being treated as a threat and opposition to the prosecutor.
This is an unprecedented event, where a lawyer is deprived of his freedom because of his free speech in the courtroom, where he expresses his opinion about the falsity of the evidence and the responsibility that, according to the lawyer, the author of the falsification, which in this case is the prosecutor, should bear.
The Chamber of Advocates calls on the High Inspector of Justice, the High Prosecutorial Council, and the General Prosecutor's Office to act urgently on this flagrant case of arbitrariness and open violation of the law.
This is because the Chamber, based on the legal framework and the Constitution of Albania, still believes that we are the Republic of Albania – a state with justice based on evidence and facts – and not a “Republic of Prosecutors”.
President of the Albanian Bar Association
Prof. Dr. Maksim Haxhia
