U.S. Republicans misled over blacklisted Albanian politician, says activist

Evi Kokalari, an Albanian-American conservative activist, has hit out at former Albanian PM Sali Berisha, accusing him of misleading U.S. lawmakers about his blacklisted status.

Berisha was designated non-grata in 2021 by the Biden administration over significant corruption, a decision he claims was unjust. He has since fought to overturn the designation, arguing it was politically motivated.

Kokalari, who initially supported Berisha, has now turned against him, saying he is using false claims to win Republican support. She reacted after Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman, said USAID targeted Berisha unfairly.

“That is a complete lie,” Kokalari said, adding that Albania’s justice reform started before the 2021 elections, when “most people had forgotten about Berisha.”

She accused Berisha of twisting events for his own benefit, just like in the McGonigal case—referring to the former FBI agent linked to Albania. According to Kokalari, McGonigal was focused on Lulzim Basha, not Berisha.

Kokalari, who is active in U.S. Republican politics, said she is reaching out to Greene to correct the facts. She warned that anyone spreading false claims will be held responsible.

“You can’t hide corruption forever,” she said. “The more you push, the more it proves you should be in jail.”