By Argumentum’s Editor
In an unprecedented development in the relationship between the two strategic allies, Albania and the United States, the first former President of Albania, Sali Berisha after the fall of communism, has made public his sue against the standing Secretary of State Antony Blinken for defamation against him.
Berisha announced his decision in a press statement on Thursday revealing that the lawsuit will be filed with the Correctional Tribunal of Paris.
“I am here to inform you of an unusual but important decision. For reasons completely unknown to me, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has published false statements against my personality. I want to emphasize that since I started my political life, I guarantee you that since after I took the first public salary and until yesterday, not a single person in Albania or in the world can say that I have been implicated in corruptive affairs. I instructed my lawyer in a neutral country, France, to sue Mr.Blinken for public slander,” Berisha announced.
The Albanian former head of state, a veteran of the Democratic Party, reiterated his denial of allegations of corruption. He said that the lawsuit is a matter of personal dignity for him and his family.
“I was the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister of Albania. I have been responsible for my people’s dignity and I have done everything in my power to defend it. Today, I am responsible for my dignity,” Berisha stated.
He stated that this was a decision he had never thought he would take, but that he had to defend his dignity.
Blinken’s immunity in this case is to be considered by the court, according to Berisha’s French lawyers who are preparing the charge.
The former leader of Albania distanced the opposition Democratic Party, of which he is part, from his expected legal battle, and said he would not give up his seat in parliament.
Nothing is more important than Albania’s relations with the United States, Berisha remarked, adding that he will keep “the best possible relation” with the US Ambassador to Albania.
But Berisha was harsh on the head of US diplomacy daring to say that person was not in the ‘untouchables’ in diplomacy.
“Blinken may claim that he has immunity, as Secretary of State. This is a lie. The immunity can be given by courts, in a relative way, which means that Blinken has immunity when he commits normal acts as a representative of the government of his country. According to my lawyer, Blinken is not protected by any immunity. Therefore, he will be sued and punished by the Court of Paris, where my lawyer has filed the lawsuit,” Berisha declared.
“Dignity is the most essential matter of a man. When you touch the dignity of a man, you devaluate him in front of his family, his friends and the community. I have been a President and a Prime Minister. I have been responsible for the dignity of this people,” said Berisha. /argumentum.al
