With an eight-hour delay, as he justified it, due to the difference with the local time in New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially reacted regarding the house arrest measure imposed by SPAK for the director of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH), Vlora Hyseni.
Through this reaction, the head of government also announced her dismissal from office.
Rama began his statement by apologizing for the delay and emphasizing that he expects justice to do its job independently.
"I have been informed about the house arrest measure that SPAK has issued for the director of the State Intelligence Service, and I expect that any suspicions of the prosecution will be investigated and clarified to the end through an independent judicial process."
Further, the Prime Minister highlighted Hysen's work to date and the assessments from partner agencies, but took a firm stance that equality before the law remains an indisputable principle.
"Beyond respect for the work and for the person of Vlora Hyseni... the path of no return that we have chosen is the path of independence of the judicial bodies to investigate and judge anyone, regardless of social status or public function."
During his reaction, Rama did not spare criticism of the political and media debate, describing the public reaction to such issues as a "medieval trial" that takes place before the court has a say.
"...it seems inevitable that any investigation or measure taken by the judiciary against public figures will turn into a motivation to mince human flesh in the political and media circles and to call for the 'rope' as in medieval execution squares, long before the court has a chance to speak."
Despite this, he rejected the opposition's claims that the actions of the judiciary constitute an indictment against the majority, arguing that it was this government that paved the way for the independence of the new institutions.
"And yet, it cannot be true that the independent actions of justice and the continued affirmation of equality before the law are simultaneously acts of accusation against precisely a governing majority that, with courage and determination, has paved the way for independent justice..."
Concluding his statement, Rama reiterated the principle of individual responsibility and confirmed the administrative measure taken against the head of SHISH.
"The innocence or guilt of an indicted collaborator is an individual matter before the prosecution and the court... The dismissal of the director of the service is immediate, and as soon as I return to Tirana and in consultation with the President of the Republic, we will elect the new head of the State Intelligence Service."
