Prime Minister Edi Rama on Tuesday introduced Igli Tafa as the new head of the 'National Agency for Information Society' (AKSHI), as the agency faces scrutiny linked to an ongoing investigation involving private companies.

During the presentation, Rama addressed the situation of former AKSHI director Mirlinda Karçanaj, expressing confidence that she would “come out clean,” while stressing that the matter ultimately rests with the justice system.

“I came personally first and foremost to thank Linda Karçanaj, who has worked closely with me for two decades, since our time at the Municipality of Tirana,” Rama said. “I know her as a person dedicated to public service. She was always the first to arrive at work and the last to leave.”

Rama said he was saddened by what Karçanaj is going through, criticizing what he described as “barbaric aggression” from online media outlets and social networks that have linked her to allegations he said are unrelated to her.

“I do not enter into the merits of the case. I have no knowledge of details related to the activities of the companies under investigation,” Rama stated. “But I do know that Linda is a single mother of two children and has had one of the most distinguished careers.”

The prime minister also pointed to what he described as positive feedback from AKSHI’s high-level partners, including Microsoft, regarding Karçanaj’s professional record.

“She is going through an ordeal from which I believe she will emerge clean, but it is up to justice to say so,” Rama said, adding that the investigation should not overshadow what he called the agency’s digital transformation achievements.

Authorities have not yet released further details about the scope of the probe tied to the AKSHI case.