2 GOP Lawmakers Urge Rubio to Impose Visa Bans on Albanian Officials as Protests Rage
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 28
2 GOP Lawmakers Urge Rubio to Impose Visa Bans on Albanian Officials as Protests Rage
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 28
Summary
Two House Republicans asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider Section 7031(c) visa bans on Albanian officials and their families over alleged significant corruption, and to answer by Nov. 5.
The letter says Albania's democratic gains are at risk as political leaders shield targets of anti-corruption probes, citing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku's stalled arrest after parliament refused to lift her immunity.
Tirana has seen daily anti-government protests for about two weeks, with tens of thousands demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama's resignation over corruption, education, unemployment and weak institutions; some clashes turned violent.
The lawmakers also asked what U.S. support is going to justice reforms and whether the embassy is working with Albanian authorities to protect protesters and journalists.
The pressure comes as NATO ally Albania pursues EU membership, a path that could be complicated by renewed violence and allegations of corruption despite earlier progress on judicial reform.