By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Albania's Special Court on Corruption and Organized Crime sentenced former Prime Minister Sali Berisha to house arrest Saturday for corruption charges.
The Special Prosecutor's Office for Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) had previously imposed a "judicial control condition" and a "ban on leaving the country" against Berisha.
An appeal of the decision can be made to the Albanian Special Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime.
Berisha did not attend the hearing but his lawyers were present.
The Albanian parliament voted Thursday to remove legal immunity for Berisha, who currently leads the opposition Democratic Party.
The ruling Socialist Party gained the support of 75 lawmakers in the 140-seat parliament to pass a request from prosecutors to lift Berisha's immunity.
The decision paves the way for prosecutors to pursue court approval for Berisha’s arrest or placement under house arrest.
Berisha, 79, was charged with favoring his son-in-law in the privatization of state land during his term as prime minister.
The Special Prosecution Office formally asked Dec. 12 for the removal of the parliamentary immunity granted to Berisha to allow him to be placed under house arrest.
Berisha denies the charges and said the move is illegal and politically motivated.
He accused his political rival, Prime Minister Edi Rama, of trying to eliminate opposition from parliament.
Berisha served as prime minister between 2005 and 2013 and as president from 1992 and 1997.
The US banned Berisha and his immediate family from entering due to their alleged involvement in corruption in 2021.