Albanian opposition leader facing corruption charges is released from house arrest

Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who leads the opposition Democratic Party and is facing corruption charges, has been released from house arrest after almost a year. The Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, which covers cases involving senior officials and politicians, on Wednesday revoked the house arrest order for Berisha without giving any reason. The 80-year-old was put under house arrest in December 2023 after he failed to comply with an order to report to the court every two weeks. In September, he was formally charged with corruption in connection with a property deal. He has denied the charges, calling them political repression ordered by Prime Minister Edi Rama, his political rival.