Appellate of Court Against Organized Crime and Corruption (GJKKO) has registered the recourse of the former Minister of Interior Saimir Taihiri, who was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison a while ago.

In the recourse filed in the Appeal of GJKKO, the former Minister of Interior requests the suspension of the sentence of 3 years and 4 months in prison for “Abuse of office”.

Tahiri was convicted only for "Abuse of Duty" and not for the charges of "Corruption of senior officials", "Trafficking in narcotics committed in collaboration" and "Structured criminal group".

"It is communicated in a concise manner that, on 26.04.2022, in the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, the recourse no. Was filed and registered. 79, dated 26.04.2022, filed by the defendant S.T., against decision no. 03, dated 04.02.2022 of the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime, by which the defendants S.T. and J.Ç. for the criminal offenses provided by articles 283 / a / 1, 28/4, 333 / a / 2 and 334/1 of the Criminal Code”, it is stated in the Court’s announcement.

Earlier, in his request, Tahiri stated among other things that the immediate serving of a prison sentence could have serious consequences for the defendant himself and his family. This is due to the duty he has held and he risks and can become the object of crime characters who are serving their sentences in the Fier Penitentiary Institution. The recourse further states that his family is also exposed to possible consequences.

Earlier on, the Special Prosecution against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK) has made a request to the Supreme Court that the former minister also face charges of drug trafficking and a structured criminal group. The SPAK reasoning states that the Court did not make a fair analysis of the evidence against Saimir Tahiri and Jaeld Çela.

According to SPAK, the continuous services performed by Artan Habilaj and Moisi Habilaj to Saimir Tahiri on the occasion of moving to Greece in August 2014 and for the repair of the boat "Auras", shows that Mosi Habilaj is directly involved and engaged.

The Special Prosecution has underlined that it has been proven that between Moisi and Florian Habilaj and the employees of the Ministry of Interior and the police officers of the Vlora Police Directorate, there were constant communications, which for SPAK is proof in their relationship of criminal activity.

Tahiri is serving his sentence in Fier prison, while Çela has been released on parole, after completing 2 of the 3 sentences. On February 4, the special court of appeals sentenced Tahiri to 5 years in prison, but due to the shortened trial he was finally sentenced to 3.4 months in prison.

According to the court, Tahiri with his actions and inactions has influenced the spread of the phenomenon of cannabis cultivation.