Albania Ex-Minister Accused in Drug-Smuggling Scandal

Media in Italy and Albania on Tuesday started to release transcripts of Italian police wiretaps of alleged drug smugglers, in which they mention former Interior Minister Saimir Tahiri as someone they paid off with drug money.

The alleged drug smugglers speculate in the wiretaps that Tahiri used the money in Albania's electoral campaign.

Tahiri responded immediately by saying that two of the alleged smugglers, Moisi and Florian Habilaj, were his very distant cousins and that they used his name to conduct criminal activity and to boast among themselves.

"Two criminals, very distant cousins of mine have mentioned my name and it is not the first time when criminals have used a minister's name," he said.

One of the cousins, Moisi Habilaj, was arrested in Italy on Monday, among several Albanians and Italians detained for allegedly trafficking around 3.5 tons of marijuana.

Tahiri admitted that he made a mistake by selling the cousins a car four years ago - a vehicle which the Albanian opposition claims has been used to distribute drugs.

Tahiri said however that he is open to being investigated by prosecutors and he believed that the truth will come out soon. He denies wrongdoing.

After the transcript became public, Prime Minister Edi Rama took to social networks to urge transparency in the case.

"We want the truth as soon as possible. What has come out of a conversation between two criminals is disgusting and shocking," Rama said.

He said that he had known Tahiri for a long time and that he is a person with good intentions and integrity.

But he also said that Albanians deserve the truth.

"The new government was not created to pardon or tolerate anybody that chooses a criminal path instead of a better...