In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle, the European Union Ambassador to Tirana, Silvio Gonzato, commented on the proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code related to the suspension of public officials under investigation.
Asked about the Albanian government's strategy for amending legislation affecting the suspension of requests for lifting immunity by SPAK, Gonzato stressed that the European Union is closely following this process.
According to him, it is about the article that allows a court to suspend a public official who is under investigation. “Everything related to the rule of law and the administration of justice is something that we follow closely and appreciate, not only in Albania, but in all candidate countries,” he said.
"We are closely following this proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code, which is the article that allows a court to suspend a public official who is under investigation. Because everything related to the rule of law and the administration of justice is something that we closely follow and value, not only in Albania, but in all candidate countries. The justice system is at the heart of a country's work and requirements in the context of accession negotiations. So, we expect any legislative initiative to be in line with the government's overall commitments in the fight against corruption and crime. And we will continue to closely monitor how this affects these elements," Gonzato told DW.
