Lawyers extend their boycott to security measures as a “censoring” regulation splits GJKKO judges

Lawyers are determined to boycott not only court hearings but also security measures at the Special Court.

They officially began the boycott on Monday, even though no hearings for setting personal security measures were scheduled at the GJKKO.

Monday was also the final deadline the lawyers had given the Special Court and the High Judicial Council to reconsider and withdraw the regulation that censors their work and that of journalists by not allowing them to bring cell phones into the courtroom.

In these circumstances, the head of the Court, Erjon Bani, who until now has not taken a single step back, ‘reacted’ by calling a meeting of the Special Court’s judicial panel. As Report TV learned, the judges were divided in their positions. Some opposed Erjon Bani and demanded dialogue with the lawyers over the situation that has been created.

Recall that, by unanimous decision of the General Council of the Chamber of Advocates, since the GJKKO began implementing the new regulation, lawyers have boycotted court hearings — a decision that has led to the postponement of many important trials.

The other side demanded tougher measures against the lawyers, who so far have been fined 50,000 new lek each for absences from hearings. The GJKKO judges’ meeting reached no conclusion, and it is unclear how things will proceed, Shqiptarja.com reports.

The situation is expected to worsen further with the boycott of security measures.

The decision risks serious consequences, up to the release of arrested persons, who cannot be held in detention cells without a security measure in place. The law requires every arrested person to appear before a judge within 72 hours for a measure; otherwise the arrest becomes invalid.