Albania's deputy prime minister accused of corruption has been suspended

Albania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku has been suspended and banned from traveling abroad as part of the ongoing investigation. On October 31, the anti-corruption prosecutor's office informed Balluku that an investigation is being conducted against him for violating the rules of tenders related to road construction in 2020. He denies the accusations. At the request of SPAK [Special Prosecutor for Corruption and Organized Crime], the Special Court of First Instance imposed personal security measures on [Balluku], banning him from performing his duties and leaving the country. Personal security measures were also applied to two other persons under investigation. Balluku, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party led by Edi Rama, has been Minister of Infrastructure and Energy since 2019 and Deputy Prime Minister since 2022. The opposition Democratic Party demanded his resignation. Speaking in the parliament on Wednesday, he called the accusations against him groundless. Prime Minister Rama also expressed his support to the Deputy Prime Minister when the opposition demanded his resignation.