‘It should have been prevented’ — former president Meta accuses GJKKO and the Bar Chamber: A contrived conflict and arbitrariness

From detention, former president Ilir Meta has reacted to the clash between the First Instance Special Court (GJKKO) and the National Chamber of Advocacy, describing the situation as a conflict that is causing the postponement and cancellation of dozens of court hearings.

In a post published on social media, Meta raises concern about the dragging-out of proceedings and the consequences which, according to him, this clash has for the right to a defence and citizens’ trust in justice.

Ilir Meta’s reaction:

“The absurd conflict between the First Instance GJKKO and the National Chamber of Advocacy has brought the cancellation and postponement of trials for dozens of cases at the First Instance GJKKO alone.

This absurd situation, warned about since the end of July, should have been prevented in time, both through dialogue and through the intervention of the High Judicial Council, the Parliament of Albania and other actors.

Besides the considerable financial losses to the state and to the interested parties, it has also brought the dragging-out of court proceedings, which is an element of a fair and regular trial.

Placing lawyers under double pressure, from both the First Instance GJKKO and the National Chamber of Advocacy, undermines not only their rights, but directly the essential rights of the citizens involved in criminal proceedings.

The role of lawyers in a regular legal process is irreplaceable.

Even under dictatorship there were judges and prosecutors, but democracy and the rule of law differ from dictatorship, among other things, in that they guarantee the right to be defended by a lawyer.

This contrived conflict and arbitrariness serve only political games and undermine public trust in justice and the judicial system.”