Ambassador Kim Praises Albanian Justice Reform

American ambassador to Albania, Yuri Kim, is convinced that the Justice Reform, strongly supported by the USA, is yielding results. 

"We need faster and bigger results. I am with the people. Reform in justice must produce results. I think it has started to give. I think I'll share some facts with you. I think it is important to have facts instead of speculation", she said.

While many think the Special Structure is doing selective justice, Kim says otherwise. According to her, SPAK has seized millions of euros of crime assets that justice had not done before. 

"SPAK has a conviction rate of 99% to date. When they hit someone 99% of the time the verdict is guilty. Assets are taken and people go to jail. For the 12 years before 2019, the justice system had seized something like 20 million euros of assets over 10 years. From December 2019 to 2021, SPAK received 70 million euros of assets. Until today in 2022 they have seized, for example until July there was a case of over 10 million euros. I think that this year it will reach over 70 million. This will hit the criminals in their pockets," said Kim. 

To reinforce that the justice reform has produced results, the American diplomat says that no one thought that Saimir Tahiri would end up in prison. 

"When was the last time that two ministers of the ruling party immediately after leaving office were put in jail? Did you think that Tahiri would go to prison? We bet you didn't think so. Most people didn't think about it," said Kim, while adding that impunity is coming to an end.