Albania is preparing a broad overhaul of its Criminal Procedure Code, with proposed amendments to 105 articles covering key aspects of criminal investigations, detention and trials.

The package, presented by Prime Minister Edi Rama, includes changes to security measures and pretrial detention, the rights of parties during investigations and trials, the handling of evidence, preliminary hearings, the presumption of innocence, courtroom publicity and the protection of personal data.

Under the proposed changes, pretrial detention would not be imposed for criminal offenses carrying a maximum prison sentence of less than five years.

The package would also introduce restrictions on the use of detention for certain categories of people. Pregnant women, mothers with children under the age of six and fathers who are the sole caregivers of their children would not be sent to detention facilities under the proposed rules.

The reforms would also expand the role of the defense during criminal investigations. Prosecutors would be required to document and make available to the defense evidence collected during an investigation, including material that could potentially support the person under investigation.

The defense would also be given the right to conduct its own investigations, according to the proposed package.

Another proposed change would allow court hearings to be broadcast live at the request of the parties, subject to the applicable legal conditions.

Presenting the reforms, Rama criticized Albania’s high rate of pretrial detention, describing the country’s position in European comparisons as a matter of national dignity.

“Prison should be the last alternative,” Rama said, arguing that courts should provide reasons for any restriction placed on an individual’s liberty.

The proposed amendments would still need to go through Albania’s legislative process before becoming law. Their final provisions and implementation will depend on the parliamentary debate and adoption of the legislation.