The Armed Forces Academy has reacted to accusations raised by the opposition, according to which the President of the Republic, simultaneously Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bajram Begaj, has held a second job as a doctor in a private hospital.
In an official statement, the AFA denies these claims, explaining that these are financial arrears for academic staff's engagement in scientific research during the years 2013–2018, a period when Begaj was also involved as a military doctor.
"We clarify that the payments were made in accordance with the law and bylaws regulating higher education and scientific research, and that they were repaid in the period 2022–2024 to all academic staff involved," the AFA statement said.
The institution emphasizes that the entire process was carried out in a transparent and documented manner, and that any competent institution can verify the relevant documentation.
The accusations were raised by the chairman of the DP Parliamentary Group, Gazment Bardhi, who accused the President of serious violations of the law and demanded his dismissal, claiming that Begaj, in the afternoon, worked as a consultant at a private clinic of the Acibadem network, while in the morning he was exercising his duties as President.
Full AFA statement
The Armed Forces Academy denies all accusations of recent days regarding payments made to the President of the Republic of Albania, simultaneously the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bajram Begaj.
The President of the Republic of Albania, His Excellency Bajram Begaj, in his previous functions as a military doctor, has in the past been part of military scientific research teams together with an academic staff of 15 professors and has been engaged in leading the scientific topics of the third cycle of studies (Doctorate) in the period 2013 - 2018 at the AFA.
