Special Court refuses to try Meta and Kryemadhi without lawyers, postpones hearing to Nov. 5

The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime on Thursday refused to continue the trial of former President Ilir Meta and Monika Kryemadhi without lawyers present, and postponed the hearing to Nov. 5. The court also appointed a lawyer for the next session.

According to Top Channel journalist Anila Hoxha, the lawyers did not take part despite a ruling by the Administrative Court of Appeal, arguing that they had not been formally notified that the National Chamber of Advocates had suspended the boycott.

Meta and Kryemadhi asked to proceed

Meta said the absence of prosecutor Kllapi “is not a good sign” and asked to defend himself. He argued that the dispute with the lawyers should have been resolved earlier, given that some 600 court cases had been blocked. Kryemadhi called the boycott “a misuse of the legal profession” and asked for the hearing to continue as agreed last time.

Prosecutor Arben Kraja said the absence of one prosecutor does not amount to a violation and that the serious charges require a lawyer's presence.

Kryemadhi: SPAK has violated procedures

After the postponement, Kryemadhi told reporters the hearing was “ridiculous” and that courts no longer keep their word. According to her, the trial is at the stage of the parties' submissions and she does not need a lawyer to speak. She called absurd the stance of SPAK, the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, as guarantor of her right to be defended by a lawyer, and accused prosecutors of violations during the search of her home, the seizure of her phone and the handling of witnesses. All of these are defense claims.