SPAK waging political lynching campaigns, Baze says

Tirana, July 8  – Albanian veteran journalist Mero Baze has accused the country’s anti-corruption prosecution office, SPAK, of engaging in politically motivated detentions and disinformation campaigns, describing its practices as “criminal” and damaging to the justice system.

In an appearance on MCN TV’s “Të Paekspozuarit,” Baze said SPAK had abandoned its mission of legal reform and had instead weaponized pretrial detention as a punitive tool, notably against former President Ilir Meta and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. He argued that neither posed flight risks or threats to ongoing investigations and should not have been jailed pending trial.

“This is no longer justice—it’s political lynching,” Baze said, warning that Albania may now have the highest pretrial detention rate in Europe.

Baze noted that SPAK, though originally celebrated for its independence and international support, has failed to create consistent prosecutorial standards. He cited numerous cases where minor or unclear infractions led to detentions, while cases against high-profile figures remain unresolved or are shifted toward less substantive financial investigations.

Baze also accused SPAK’s press office of running a propaganda machine, likening its communications to “Goebbelsian” tactics. He claimed the office selectively leaks speculative information to compliant media, using personal insinuations and unverified claims to sway public opinion and distract from weak prosecutorial work.

He criticized the lack of transparency in high-profile arrests, including that of Meta, saying that no concrete evidence had yet been presented after a year of detention. “If there’s a case, take it to court. But you don’t imprison someone and look for evidence later,” Baze said.

While acknowledging that SPAK has prosecuted some officials—including former Environment Minister Lefter Koka—Baze said its broader record reflects a politicized and erratic approach. He stressed that justice must serve the rule of law, not act as an instrument of fear or political balancing.

“Justice isn’t about catching someone over paperwork,” he said. “It’s about standing on the side of what’s right.”