Albanian election body strips two MPs, one mayor of mandates

Albania's state election body decided on Thursday to strip two MPs and one mayor of their mandates because of their criminal charges in the past, which three of them strongly denied, local media reported.

MP Shkelqim Selami, MP Dashamir Tahiri, as well as Elvis Rroshi, mayor of Kavaja (central Albania) were released of duty under the decriminalization law that bans people convicted of crimes from holding public office.

The Central Election Commission (CEC)members voted unanimously to strip Selami of his parliamentary mandate and remove Rroshi from office, whereas opposition representatives at CEC voted against the removal of the mandate of Tahiri, the CEC press office said.

Such decision came about one month after the request made by the Albanian General Prosecution which asked election body to cancel the mandates of the three officials.

According to prosecution, the two MPs and the mayor lied about their past, therefore they concealed their criminal records.

The three officials have denied the accusations of having criminal records, saying that they would appeal such decision to court.

But prosecutors said that they have been convicted of crimes such as money laundering, drug distribution and human trafficking.

CEC's decision was hailed by Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Justice Minister Ylli Manjani who declared Thursday afternoon that current government remained committed to keeping away criminals from power.

The opposition leader Lulzim Basha also praised CEC decision, saying that the opposition will continue to denounce cases of criminals in power.

As the Kavaja mayor was stripped of his mandate, Albania will have to organize a new by-election in this city.

Albania's parliamentary election is scheduled for June 18, 2017, so the by-elections in Kavaja might take place earlier. Endit