Albania: The Legality Movement Party: its legal status, whether it is represented in parliament, and the treatment of its members (January 1998 - January 1999)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ALB30785.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Albania: The Legality Movement Party: its legal status, whether it is represented in parliament, and the treatment of its members (January 1998 - January 1999), 1 January 1999, ALB30785.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abcb78.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The 1998 Political Handbook of the World states that the Movement of Legality Party (PLL) obtained three Assembly seats in the 29 June 1997 elections in Albania (13). An 11 December 1998 Zeri i Popullit article also refers to PLL representation in parliament.
A 21 November 1998 Zeri i Popullit article states:
The High Court of Appeals has decided to keep Ekhrem Spahiu [leader of the Movement for Legality party - PLL] in prison. The court examined a request by Spahiu's lawyer for the release of his client, but decided to uphold the sentences passed earlier by a court of first instance and the Tirana Appeals Court. The PLL leader is accused of carrying out the penal act of "organizing armed uprising, participating in this uprising, and the violation of state institutions." At all earlier legal sessions, the prosecutors produced a picture of Spahiu amidst armed crowds as proof of these charges. The prosecutors also possess film footage of Spahiu's speech on state television on 14 September in which he declared the collapse of the Nano government and that the situation was under the control of the "Union for Democracy" political alliance, of which the PLL is a member.
No additional information on the treatment of PLL members in Albania could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Political Handbook of the World: 1998. 1998. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
Zeri i Popullit [Tirana, in Albanian]. 11 December 1998. "Albania: Small Right-Wing Parties Return to Parliament." (FBIS-EEU-98-345 11 Dec. 1998/WNC)
_____. 21 November 1998. "Albania: Appeals Court Upholds Sentence Against PLL Leader." (FBIS-EEU-98-327 23 Nov. 1998/WNC)
Additional Sources Consulted
Electronic sources consulted: IRB databases, Internet, NEXIS/LEXIS, REFWORLD, WNC.
Transitions [Prague]. December 1998 - October 1998.
Resource Centre country file on Albania. January 1998 - October 1998.
One oral source contacted did not provide information on the requested topic.
Unsuccessful attempts to contact other oral sources.
