Unlike the previous sessions of the trial against him for the "Gërdeci" case, where he was represented by a lawyer, this Thursday the former Minister of Defense, Fatmir Mediu, chose to be present at the Special Court himself.
His presence was not accidental: "Because today was about witnesses who worked with me. With witnesses who have prepared orders, documents, who have followed the implementation of the orders of the Minister of Defense. I came today out of respect for the court, out of respect for justice. Even expressing once again my deep regret for what happened to the family members in 2008. I did it even when I was a minister, resigning and I can no longer undo what happened. I said this even today and I deeply apologize."
In addition to the apology, the former minister accused of "abuse of duty" said that he was innocent and demanded a legal judicial process and equality between the parties: "I think that one of the most important points of the guarantee of the legal process, which has to do with the prescription. For 10 years I have not had any charges. I was without any criminal charge and more. Moreover, I was here, I didn't even hide from the processes".
According to the former minister, the dismantling of military munitions was a request of NATO and the European Union and that the proposal for Gërdec was not his: "The minister has not asked and influenced anyone. Find me a single one that I have told you that you should make this order, or you should have this opinion in your order, or in your memo. Every case, every letter that came to me, I forwarded it to the highest military and civil structures for consideration. I have never influenced and never acted contrary to the letters that came to me from the highest military and civil authorities. The Minister of Defense is not a military man, the Minister of Defense does not know either calibers or safety distances".
He denied any personal interest in the matter: "I have not had any interest." I was investigated in Europe, in America, for services and health problems of my family and they did not find any corrupt relationship. Not even a single contact of Fatmir Mediu with those who did the dismantling in Gërdec has been found. Not even my family's."
In Thursday's session, 5 witnesses were heard. Among them, Anila Gjergji, the former employee who received at the Ministry of Defense a fax sent by the Ministry of Justice, on which was written in pen "For Shkëlzen Berisha". The witness said that it was not her writing and did not specify whether the note was made there, or came with the letter. While Colonel Viktor Përsxeta said that he was aware of the dismantling order and that in the discussion with his superior about one of the points he had heard that "the order was requested by the boss", a term by which, according to him, the office referred to the minister of Protection.
(A2 Televizion)
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MUND TE LEXONI GJITHASHTU
