Former Albania PM put under house arrest amid corruption probe

An Albanian court has ruled that Sali Berisha, a former prime minister and current opposition leader, should be placed under house arrest as he is investigated for corruption.

Berisha, Albania’s prime minister between 2005 and 2013, is under investigation for allegedly abusing his power to help privatize public land to build 17 apartments for the benefit of his son-in-law.

Berisha, now head of the main opposition Democratic Party, has denied the allegations, arguing that the case is politicized and orchestrated by current Prime Minister Edi Rama. Berisha’s lawyer said he would appeal Saturday’s verdict, which also bars him from leaving the country and communicating with anyone except family members.

In a statement, Berisha’s Democratic Party denounced the ruling as “imposed without any evidence, facts or documents” and accused Rama of violating Albania’s constitution and taking “Stalinist measures” to silence his rival.

Rama said he didn’t “see it as a victory” that Berisha was put under house arrest.

Prosecutors are yet to file formal charges against Berisha while the official probe is still underway, but said he had breached previous legal requirements related to the case.

Albania’s parliament last week voted to strip the former prime minister of his legal immunity. Berisha is also banned from entering the U.K. and the U.S. over alleged corrupt practices.