On Tuesday, DUI said that it didn’t expect the ex-Deputy PM Artan Grubi matter to harm it, saying political situations that were “momentary” didn’t impact its rating.
Regarding the visit of its leader, Ali Ahmeti, to Pristina, it stated that it was not related to the ex-Deputy PM, explaining Ahmeti had gone to the Kosovan capital to meet politicians, including former PM Ramush Haradinaj. The visit had been supposed to take place on 11 December, but it was rescheduled due to the developments related to the Law on Languages.
“DUI doesn’t function on the basis of individual names, but rather according to collective decisions and principles. The party constantly communicates with citizens and structures to protect the interest of Albanians and all other citizens against the Government’s plan to undermine the Ohrid [Framework Agreement] order”, it said.
On the other hand, VLEN continued its criticism, describing DUI as a party “non grata” and stressing that Grubi and former National Lottery head Perparim Bajrami were running away from justice.
Also, one of the coalition’s co-leaders, 1st Deputy PM Izet Mexhiti, said nobody was above the law. In addition, at a press-conference, VMRO-DPMNE MP Mile Lefkov said he was calling on Grubi not to flee and to return to the country.
“He should prove whether he is crystal clean or shady in court, provided he has the courage to face the evidence”, the MP noted.
According to VMRO-DPMNE, it’s been proven that DUI was only interested in stealing taxpayer money.
“SDS[M] was an accomplice in that crime. There must be liability for the crime worth millions committed by Grubi, DUI, and SDS[M]”, Lefkov underlined.
Also on Tuesday, EU Ambassador Michalis Rokas declined to comment on the charges against ex-cabinet members, saying only that the judiciary and Public Prosecutor’s Office should be allowed to continue the investigation and justice should speak for itself.