The Council of Ministers has officially dismissed Julian Hodaj from his position as Deputy Minister of Interior. The decision was taken during today’s government meeting, bringing an end to his tenure that began on October 9, 2017.

Hodaj becomes the second deputy minister to be removed from office in recent months. His dismissal follows that of Andi Mahila, who was released from duty after a complaint filed by an Albanian citizen living in New York. The citizen claimed that Mahila had smoked a cigarette inside a restaurant during an official visit to the United States, causing discomfort to those present.

At the time, Minister of Interior Albana Koçiu announced Mahila’s dismissal through a social media post.

Today’s decision marks another shift in the leadership of the Ministry of Interior, though no official explanation has yet been provided regarding the reasons behind Hodaj’s removal.