Former Albanian President Ilir Meta was arrested on Monday over allegations of money laundering, his spokesperson confirmed. Meta, leader of the opposition Freedom Party, was taken into custody in the capital Tirana after returning from Kosovo, according to local media reports.
Tedi Blushi, Meta’s spokesperson, called the arrest “inappropriate” and claimed it would be “condemned by all patriotic and honest Albanians.” His comments came in response to images circulating in the media showing masked police removing Meta from a vehicle as he appeared to resist, before being taken away in a special forces van.
“This government will pay the price in every street and in every square,” Blushi warned when asked if protests were expected in reaction to Meta’s arrest.
Meta, 55, is facing accusations of corruption, money laundering, and concealing wealth, charges stemming from an investigation led by Albania’s Special Prosecutor for Corruption (SPAK).
Meta served as president from 2017 to 2022 and has previously held the roles of prime minister and parliamentary speaker. He initially rose to the presidency with the support of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s ruling Socialist Party, but relations between the two soured during Meta’s presidency. The Socialist Party attempted to remove Meta from office twice—once in 2019 for blocking local elections, and again in 2021 for allegedly interfering in general elections.
Meta is not the only opposition figure under legal scrutiny. Last month, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha was also indicted on corruption charges related to his time as prime minister, charges he has denied. The Democratic Party has accused Prime Minister Rama of targeting opposition figures through legal proceedings, a claim the government rejects.
Tensions have been rising between the ruling Socialist Party and the opposition, with protests erupting in September following the sentencing of Democratic Party member Ervin Salianji to prison. Demonstrators set fire to chairs outside the parliament, signaling growing unrest in Albania’s political landscape.