“No propaganda, accountability and transparency” — DP reacts to the President’s National Security Council meeting

Democratic Party Parliamentary Group leader Gazment Bardhi has reacted after the announcement that President Bajram Begaj is expected to convene the National Security Council on Monday, at a time when public debate is focused on developments at SHISH and the arrest of the head of this institution, Vlora Hyseni.

Bardhi demands from the President clarifications on the procedures and verifications carried out before Hyseni’s appointment, as well as transparency on other issues he links to national security and the functioning of institutions.

The DP’s reaction:

“THERE IS NO NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL SPECTACLE. ALBANIA NEEDS ANSWERS.

After the grave developments at the State Intelligence Service and the situation created following the arrest of the head of this institution, the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, is expected to convene the National Security Council next week. But Albanians do not need a formal meeting, nor an institutional show. They do not need the National Security Council to convene. Citizens need concrete answers.

The first and most important question addressed to Bajram Begaj is simple:

ON WHAT VERIFICATIONS WAS THE DECISION TO APPOINT VLORA HYSENI AT THE HEAD OF SHISH BASED?

Bajram Begaj must explain to Albanians, fully and transparently, what information, verifications and procedures were followed before her appointment at the head of one of the most important national security institutions. The opposition had publicly raised questions and concerns about this appointment. Today, after the latest developments, these questions demand immediate institutional answers.

WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT VERIFY AND WHAT DID THE PRESIDENT’S INSTITUTION FAIL TO VERIFY BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT?

This is a question that cannot be sidestepped. Equally serious are the questions related to the security of classified information, human sources and the sensitive information administered by SHISH. If there is or has been a risk that this institution’s information, the identities of sources or informants have been exposed to criminal structures or the services of unfriendly countries, then we are facing an issue with potentially very grave consequences for national security.

But the President’s responsibility does not begin today.

Over these two years, serious claims and concerns have been raised publicly about the way SHISH has functioned and about alleged relations between certain individuals and organized crime structures. Bajram Begaj must clarify whether these concerns were ever verified by the responsible institutions and, if so, what the conclusions of these verifications were.

We do not ask the President to interfere in SPAK’s investigations or in the courts’ decision-making. We ask him to account for his own institutional responsibilities.

THE CASE OF THE BLOCKED SWEARING-IN OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MEMBER IN FAVOR OF ERGYS AGASI ALSO DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY.

Bajram Begaj must publicly explain the reasons and the institutional basis for the more than 47-day delay in the swearing-in of Mr. Asim Vokshi and clarify whether this delay was part of a normal institutional procedure or whether there were other circumstances that must be made known to citizens. Claims of criminal group interference or unlawful influence on the composition of the Constitutional Court are too serious to be left at the level of political statements. They demand transparency and verification by the competent bodies.

Therefore, the National Security Council cannot be used as a substitute for accountability. The President, just like the Prime Minister, must answer for his decision-making.

He must explain what he verified, what he knew, what he did not know and what measures have been taken to protect national security.

Albanians do not need a President who appears only after the crisis has erupted. Albanians need a President who takes responsibility, accounts for it and guarantees that the Republic’s security institutions are not used for political or criminal interests. Therefore, before any formal meeting of the National Security Council, Bajram Begaj must give Albanians the transparency they deserve.

No propaganda. No formalities. No silence. Accountability and transparency.”