Ilir Meta, Former Albanian President, Formally Charged with Corruption and Money Laundering

Former Albanian President Ilir Meta has been formally charged with a series of serious financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and concealment of assets. The charges were outlined in a 192-page indictment delivered by prosecutors from Albania’s Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK), a body specifically established to investigate high-level political and state corruption.

Meta, 56, who led Albania as president from 2017 to 2022 and is the founder of the Freedom Party, was arrested in October 2024. His lawyer, Kujtim Cakrani, confirmed the indictment to reporters on Tuesday, stating that the trial will now proceed through the judicial system.

The indictment alleges that during his tenure as minister of economy, trade, and energy, Meta exploited his official position to influence business dealings from which he and his former spouse, Monika Kryemadhi, allegedly profited substantially. Kryemadhi, a current lawmaker and former leader of the Freedom Party, has also been charged with the same set of offenses. Two additional individuals connected to the case face similar charges of corruption and money laundering.

Prosecutors have accused Meta and Kryemadhi of using illicit funds to purchase real estate and of failing to declare substantial personal expenses, including medical costs. They also claim Meta has not properly accounted for nearly $460,000 spent on lobbying efforts in the United States.

Meta, a veteran figure in Albanian politics, has held nearly every top office in the country over the past three decades — including prime minister, parliamentary speaker, foreign minister, and deputy prime minister. Throughout his career, he has been both a powerful political force and a frequent critic of rival leaders.

In response to the charges, Meta posted a public statement online, claiming the case is politically motivated and orchestrated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration. He described SPAK as a “puppet” of the government and called the case an “anti-opposition” campaign. Rama’s Socialist Party recently secured a decisive victory in parliamentary elections, winning 83 out of 140 seats.

If convicted, Meta faces up to 12 years in prison.

The case against Meta is part of a broader anti-corruption campaign in Albania, supported by the European Union and the United States. As Albania negotiates full EU membership, pressure has intensified to clean up corruption that has long hindered the country’s democratic and economic development.

The charges against Meta come on the heels of similar accusations against other high-profile political figures, including Sali Berisha, a former prime minister and president who now leads the main opposition Democratic Party. Berisha, like Meta, is awaiting trial.

These developments mark a pivotal moment in Albania’s struggle to build a more transparent political system, as judicial institutions seek to demonstrate their independence and effectiveness in tackling entrenched corruption.