Why is Berisha spending millions to fight his non-grata status in the UK and US?

Sali Berisha has spent around 600,000 euros trying to overturn his designation as non-grata in the UK, a sanction imposed due to ties with criminal individuals and significant corruption. Evidence from a case built by SPAK (Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime) shows that his daughter, Argita Berisha, transferred these funds to pay the lawyers handling his case in the UK.

On Tuesday, a British appellate court rejected a request by Berisha’s lawyers to review his non-grata status. The court refused even to consider the appeal, effectively closing any possibility of lifting the sanctions. This means Berisha has not only lost the case but also the 600,000 euros spent on legal fees. This figure doesn’t include additional sums he has reportedly paid to intermediaries who promise him “miraculous” outcomes.

A similar scenario is unfolding with Berisha’s attempts to revoke his non-grata status in the U.S. Beyond the money spent on an absurd lawsuit against the American Secretary of State in a French court, Berisha continues to funnel hundreds of thousands of euros into lobbying efforts in the U.S. While he likely knows these efforts are futile, they serve to reassure his followers that he is actively trying to salvage his reputation.

To this end, Berisha has paid U.S. senators, congressmen, minor officials, and lobbyists who meet him in Tirana or appear on media platforms tied to his family. These individuals publicly argue that his non-grata designation is unjust, but their primary interest seems to be his money.

While few may sympathize with Berisha’s squandering of millions in these hopeless attempts, a critical question remains: does his non-grata status harm the Democratic Party’s electoral prospects? If it truly doesn’t, as some claim, then there’s no justification for him to spend such exorbitant amounts on fruitless legal battles. Both the UK and the U.S. have made it clear that his non-grata designation will not be lifted, and this humiliating label will follow him even after his death.

Considering the vast sums spent both officially and unofficially, Berisha’s actions alone are sufficient to label him a thief—non-grata designation aside. An honest person does not need to spend millions to clear their name of corruption and ties to organized crime.

If the Democratic Party genuinely believes Berisha’s non-grata status isn’t an issue for public trust, they should aim to win elections with him as their leader under these sanctions. Berisha is now officially recognized as the leader of the Democratic Party, despite international disapproval. At this point, he no longer needs to deplete the wealth amassed by his children during his time as prime minister. That money might be crucial for their future.

Ultimately, Berisha, at his advanced age, appears increasingly desperate. Spending millions just to remain party leader for a few more years is, at best, a futile pursuit.