High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) has rejected, by a vote of 6-2, a request from Ylli Pjetërnikaj, a candidate for Prosecutor General, seeking the recusal of KLP member Vat Staka from the evaluation process for the country’s top prosecution post.

The decision was taken after several hours of deliberations marked by heated debate.

The KLP meeting continued with the review of a separate recusal request filed by another candidate for Prosecutor General, Arta Marku, who is seeking the removal of KLP member Sokol Stojani from the proceedings.

The council had reconvened on Sunday as several requests for recusal were brought before its members, creating an unusual procedural situation within the institution.

According to the requests under consideration, Vat Staka sought the recusal of Zeqir Hoda, while Hoda requested the recusal of Sokol Stojani. Stojani, in turn, sought the recusal of KLP Chairwoman Mirela Bogdani.

In his request, Stojani raised concerns regarding Bogdani’s impartiality and asked that she not participate in the leadership, review, discussion or voting on the recusal requests.

The KLP is expected to continue reviewing the remaining requests as the selection process for Albania’s next Prosecutor General moves forward.