Court proceedings involving former Albanian President Ilir Meta and his former wife, Monika Kryemadhi, continued for more than six hours on Wednesday at the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), as the defense challenged key elements of the prosecution’s case.

Meta’s legal team requested that 11 witnesses be called to testify regarding amendments to Albania’s mining legislation, which prosecutors allege were designed to benefit a single businessman. Among those the defense seeks to summon are Prime Minister Edi Rama, former and current lawmakers, and several business figures.

The Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) claims that the legislative changes were made to favor a specific businessman and that, in return, Meta allegedly benefited from a villa in the Rolling Hills residential complex.

Addressing the court, Meta strongly rejected the allegations, describing the prosecution’s claims as unfounded and insisting that he had no involvement in drafting or promoting the mining law amendments. He also denied having any communication with the businessman at the center of the allegations.

The former president urged the court to appoint an independent mining expert to assess the broader impact of the legislation and determine how many entities benefited from the legal changes.

According to Meta, hundreds of businesses have benefited from the law since its adoption, which he argued undermines the prosecution’s claim that the amendments were tailored for a single individual.

Meta also responded to allegations concerning the Rolling Hills property, stating that neither he nor his family had lived there. He said the family's housing decisions were based on practical considerations and quality-of-life concerns rather than any improper benefits.

During his remarks, Meta further accused prosecutors of attempting to create nonexistent links between him and the legislative changes, maintaining that he had never discussed the matter with any businessman or lawmaker and had no role in advancing the disputed legislation.

The case remains one of the most closely watched corruption proceedings in Albania, with further hearings expected as the court reviews witness requests and evidentiary challenges from both sides.