Democratic Party MP Belind Këlliçi has launched a strong political attack against Sokol Sadushi, President of Albania’s Supreme Court, questioning his relationship with Prime Minister Edi Rama after a public appearance by the two at a traditional celebration in Vajzë, Vlorë.
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| Prime Minister Edi Rama (foreground) and Supreme Court President Sokol Sadushi seated side-by-side at a cultural celebration in Vajzë, an appearance sparked by political accusations regarding judicial independence. |
Këlliçi: “The President of the Supreme Court Organizes Private Parties With Edi Rama”
According to Këlliçi, Rama himself revealed that he had attended a Labëria cultural celebration in the village of Vajzë after being invited by Sokol Sadushi.
Këlliçi claims that, according to Rama's remarks at the event, Sadushi had repeatedly invited the prime minister over a period of four years before Rama eventually accepted the invitation.
The Democratic Party lawmaker argues that the episode demonstrates what he considers an unusual degree of proximity between the head of government and the head of the country's highest court.
“The President of the Supreme Court, who should guarantee the impartiality and independence of justice, appears publicly associated with the majority and its leader,” Këlliçi wrote.
The claims are political allegations made by Këlliçi and should not be treated as proof that Sadushi has acted improperly in any judicial case.
Questions Over Judicial Independence
Këlliçi's main argument concerns not simply the presence of Sadushi and Rama at the same event, but the potential perception of independence surrounding the country's highest judicial institution.
The MP asks whether a citizen involved in a legal dispute with the Albanian government or the prime minister could have full confidence in the impartiality of proceedings before the Supreme Court if its president is publicly seen hosting or maintaining a close social relationship with Rama.
The issue of judicial independence is particularly sensitive in Albania, where the justice system has undergone a major reform aimed at strengthening institutional independence, accountability and public confidence.
The Supreme Court itself has repeatedly identified independence, impartiality, effectiveness, accountability and transparency as central institutional objectives.
Dispute Over Changes to Judicial Practice on Security Measures
Këlliçi also links his criticism of Sadushi to a recent initiative concerning Albania's judicial practice on personal security measures, including pre-trial detention.
In March 2026, Sadushi initiated a procedure for the partial modification of the unified judicial practice established by the Supreme Court's Joint Colleges in 2011 regarding personal security measures. The Supreme Court stated that the purpose was to establish more uniform judicial practice consistent with constitutional standards, the law and the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly concerning restrictions on personal liberty.
The initiative subsequently became the subject of political and media controversy, with critics arguing that changes to the criteria for pre-trial detention could benefit senior officials facing corruption investigations. Those claims, however, remain interpretations and political criticisms rather than established findings of judicial misconduct. The official explanation from the Supreme Court presents the initiative as an effort to bring judicial practice into line with constitutional and European human-rights standards.
Këlliçi Escalates His Attack on Sokol Sadushi
In his Facebook statement, Këlliçi goes further, accusing Sadushi of being closely aligned with the government and arguing that his recent actions could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
He concludes by questioning what message such a relationship sends to judges and magistrates across Albania, particularly when the head of the Supreme Court is publicly portrayed as having maintained contact with the prime minister for years.
For now, the controversy centers on Këlliçi's political accusations and the public appearance involving Rama and Sadushi. Any conclusion that the relationship has influenced judicial decisions would require evidence beyond the existence of a social invitation or shared attendance at an event.
The episode nevertheless raises a broader question for Albania's justice system: how should senior judicial officials manage personal and social relationships with political leaders to avoid not only actual conflicts of interest, but also the appearance of compromised independence?
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Meta Description: Democratic Party MP Belind Këlliçi accuses Supreme Court President Sokol Sadushi of close ties to Edi Rama, raising questions over judicial independence in Albania.