Martin Henze: Albania needs independent investigations and a fresh political start

“Albania needs independent investigations and a fresh political start.” So writes Martin Henze in a lengthy statement published on September 27 on the X platform, demanding that the incinerator scandal be investigated up to the highest levels of the Rama government, which — according to him — considers itself legitimized through manipulated elections.

According to Henze, Transparency International should independently examine state concessions and decision-making. When financial flows cross state borders, the competent investigative authorities must involve Europol, he writes in his post.

Henze demands that SPAK investigate — without any political consideration — the personal role of Prime Minister Edi Rama as well, in cooperation with specialists from the German Federal Criminal Police Office and jurists of the European Court of Justice.

If a substantiated suspicion arises against Rama and there are concrete grounds for a restrictive measure, SPAK should — according to the statement — immediately request house arrest, a decision that belongs only to an independent court, in accordance with the law and the Constitution.

If the suspicion is reinforced during the investigation, charges must be filed and Rama must step down during the investigation period, the statement continues.

The government and the opposition should reach an agreement in parliament to create a time-limited government of experts, whose task would be to secure state documentation, guarantee independent investigations and prepare new, free and fair elections.

Henze closes the statement with two principles: “The presumption of innocence applies to everyone. So does the principle that no one is above the law.” According to him, Albania now needs a clarification of the facts that can be verified and a government that citizens can trust to prepare the next elections.