Albania: Deputy Prime Minister Balluku Suspended Amid Corruption Charges

An Albanian court has ordered the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku following corruption charges.

The charges relate to her alleged role in selecting a company for the construction of a tunnel in a state-funded project worth 190 million euros.

The Special Prosecution SPAK has charged Balluku with violating the equality of participants in a tender. According to the indictment, Balluku, as Minister of Infrastructure, allegedly improperly influenced the decision in favor of the company that undertook the project.

Albania aims to join the European Union by 2030, with the EU requesting increased efforts to combat crime and corruption.

Balluku denies the charges, calling them "slander" and stating her intention to cooperate with the judiciary.