Picture: AFP 16 February 2011
FOCUS News Agency
FOCUS News Agency
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Tirana. Albanian lawmakers on Wednesday voted to lift the parliamentary immunity for former deputy prime minister Ilir Meta, paving the way for him to be investigated over corruption allegations, AFP reported.
The corruption claims involving Meta prompted the Albanian opposition to call a mass anti-government protest on January 21 which turned deadly. Four demonstrators were killed, exacerbating a long-running political crisis.
Meta stepped down in mid-January after video footage was shown on television apparently showing him asking the then economy minister to favour one company over others bidding for a hydro electricity plant in March last year.
The vote in parliament on Wednesday voted to lift Meta's immunity was overwhelming.
Meta, the leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration which remains part of the ruling coalition, told deputies he welcomed the probe.
"I am open to the investigation and I put myself at the disposal of the judicial authorities to prove that these are just accusations and mafia-like blackmail attempts," he told parliament.
The corruption claims involving Meta prompted the Albanian opposition to call a mass anti-government protest on January 21 which turned deadly. Four demonstrators were killed, exacerbating a long-running political crisis.
Meta stepped down in mid-January after video footage was shown on television apparently showing him asking the then economy minister to favour one company over others bidding for a hydro electricity plant in March last year.
The vote in parliament on Wednesday voted to lift Meta's immunity was overwhelming.
Meta, the leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration which remains part of the ruling coalition, told deputies he welcomed the probe.
"I am open to the investigation and I put myself at the disposal of the judicial authorities to prove that these are just accusations and mafia-like blackmail attempts," he told parliament.
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