ONM requests the confirmation appeal for the arrested prosecutor, Aurel Zarka

2024-10-08 21:28:00, Aktualitet CNA

The International Monitoring Operation recommended on Tuesday to the Public Commissioner to appeal the decision of the Independent Qualification Commission for the confirmation in office of the prosecutor of Vlora, Aurel Zarka, arrested by the Special Prosecutor's Office on the charge of exercising illegal influence.

International observers argue that the appeal and a review of the assets and other reassessment criteria by the Special Appellate Panel became necessary after the arrest of Zarka by the Special Prosecutor's Office and the accusations against him of involvement in corruption.

"The International Observers invite the Public Commissioners to read and examine the documents received by SPAK and the Special Court at the ONM premises. The appeal would enable the Special Appellate Panel to conduct a thorough investigation of the case, assessing the subject's wealth, as well as assessing his character and abilities, which would ensure that he truly has the public's trust, whose return is the main goal of the vetting process and the institutions that implement it", the recommendation states.

Zarka was confirmed in office by the Independent Qualifications Commission on June 28, after a brief hearing in which no problems were identified that could undermine him. But a month later, on July 30, Zarka was arrested by the Special Prosecutor's Office.

According to SPAK, prosecutor Zarka and other persons are accused of having exerted illegal influence on eight criminal cases that were being investigated in four different prosecutor's offices - cases that are mainly related to organized crime activities such as money laundering or narcotics cultivation.

The main interest seems to be related to the criminal case publicly known as "Toyota Yaris", which was registered after the seizure in the port of Durrës in June 2018 of 3.4 million dry euros hidden in two used cars imported from Belgium. .

"...Persons under investigation, in collaboration and in some cases have offered and promised irregular benefits to exert influence on justice officials, have accepted promises and received irregular benefits to exert influence on justice officials..." it is said in the notification of SPAK after the arrest of Zarka. Zarka's legal representative, lawyer Julian Mërtiri, denied the accusations against Zarka, according to Mërtiri, it is about "conversations that do not prove the facts".

The decision of the KPK to confirm Zarka in office was revealed on Monday, October 7, and immediately after this decision was made public, ONM recommended the appeal of the case, noting the data obtained from the SPAK investigation as a reason.

ONM says that Zarka is accused by SPAK of exercising illegal influence, passive corruption and active corruption./ Reporter.al