High-Profile Albanian 'Gangster' Trial Delayed Again

A hearing in the trial of Emiljano Shullazi was postponed on Tuesday because a defence lawyer was dismissed on the spot, two defendants claimed to be sick and another defence lawyer said he had just learned that his father had fallen ill.

Outside the Serious Crimes Court in Tirana, police officers in military fatigues and equipped with automatic weapons maintained a heightened profile.

Shullazi and several of his accomplices are on trial for a long list of crimes, including blackmailing businesses to pay large sums of money or to hand over their properties, as well as arson attacks and the bombing of the premises of those who refused to pay. He insists he is not guilty.

The case is politically sensitive in Albania because the government has been repeatedly accused by the opposition of collaborating with criminals including Shullazi. It denies the allegations.

Meanwhile the US embassy in Tirana on Monday urged prosecutors to press ahead with the case.

"We do support the courageous prosecutors that seek justice even when there is danger," the US embassy wrote in an answer to questions posted by Voice of America's Albanian-language service.

Also on Monday, Shullazi's defence lawyers claimed that political pressure on the case was violating their client's right to a fair trial.

Shullazi's trial has proceeded slowly and came to a halt in June this year.

The prosecutors wanted to give their closing statements by this point, but have been obstructed by delaying tactics from defendants and an internal struggle inside the Serious Crime Prosecution Office.

Last week, temporary General Prosecutor Arta Marku requested disciplinary proceedings be launched against ten serious crime prosecutors, claiming they were afraid to...