Justice Minister Toni Gogu said proposed changes to Albania’s Penal Procedure Code will not weaken the fight against corruption and organised crime. He said tackling serious criminal offences remains a non-negotiable priority. The review aims to strengthen citizens’ guarantees while preserving mechanisms to investigate and punish serious crime.

Meanwhile, Theo Byl, a judge at the Antwerp Court of Appeal and a Council of Europe expert, assessed the drafting process in a video Gogu published on Facebook. Byl said the discussions excluded several proposals that could have made investigations into high-level corruption and organised crime more difficult. He said Albanian criminal legislation and procedure are moving closer to international standards. He also described the amendments as an important instrument for the justice system.

Byl said the proposed changes resulted from a long and careful process. He added that the package reflected serious work carried out over several months. He also said the reforms would bring Albanian legislation and criminal procedure into line with international standards.

/a.p./