Sacked Albanian Minister ‘Faced Death Threats’

Tirana | 14 September 2010 |

Dritan Prifti

Dritan Prifti, Albania's recently dismissed Minister of the Economy, has claimed he and his family faced death threats during his time in office.

Prifti said on Tuesday, a day after being dismissed amid a government reshuffle by the country's junior government partner: “I have been under intense pressure, including threats against me and my family, which I have denounced and expect a reaction from prosecutors.

"Despite my devotion and sacrifices, I have been always under political attack because I never became a tool for anybody," he said.

Prifti, the deputy head of the government coalition partner the Socialist Movement for Integration, LSI, and one of its four elected MPs in parliament, did not elaborate on who made the alleged threats.

The head of the LSI, Ilir Meta, is to leave his post as Minister of Foreign Affairs to replace Prifti.

Meta will be replaced by Edmond Haxhisanto, the current deputy transportation minister.

Petrit Vasili will continue to head the Ministry of Health.