Changes to the Criminal Procedure Code, Gogu: The fight against corruption remains non-negotiable

Minister of Justice Toni Gogu declared that the changes to the Criminal Procedure Code do not harm the fight against corruption and organised crime, stressing that confronting serious criminal offences remains a non-negotiable priority. Gogu said that the review of the Code aims to strengthen guarantees for citizens, without weakening the mechanisms for investigating and punishing serious crime.

In the video published on the social network Facebook by the minister, Theo Byl, a judge at the Court of Appeal in Antwerp and an expert of the Council of Europe, assessed the process of drafting the changes, saying that during the discussions some proposals that could have made investigations into corruption and high-level organised crime more difficult were set aside. Byl stressed that Albanian legislation and criminal procedure are approaching international standards and described the package of changes as an important instrument for the justice system.

“During the discussions, many changes and many ideas that would have made investigation more difficult in corruption cases and in high-level organised crime cases were set aside,” Byl declared.

According to him, the proposed changes are the result of a long and careful work process.

“I think that Albanian legislation and procedure are being brought into line with international standards. At this point I am really in favour of implementing this very good system throughout your Criminal Procedure Code,” the Council of Europe expert said. Byl added that the package of changes is the product of serious work carried out over several months. “I think this law is a very good instrument. It is the result of serious work over many months,” he said.