REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

SUPREME COURT

PRESS OFFICE

 

Tirana on 22.01.2009

 

 

Subject: Request for repudiation and clarification

Addressed to: Director of newspaper “Gazeta Shqiptare”
Mrs. Anila Basha

Chief Editor
Mr. Erlin Murati

From: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Mrs. Shpresa BEÇAJ


The newspaper “Gazeta Shqiptare”, on 22 January 2010, in front page and as its main article writes: “The Justice who releases Mediun will judge Berishen”. In addition, further on in the newspaper, page 6, it is written “Sinoimeri closed the investigation..”

Honorable Mrs. Basha and Mr. Murati,

The Supreme Court, based on the principles of well information and transparency towards the public, has been always correct in evidencing every event or problematic during its work in the official web page, as well as in the continuous communication with the daily press.

The responsibility of this important constitutional institution, at the moment in which it makes public these events, is above all, institutional. The broadcasting of true and impartial information to the public is an honest, ethical and professional respond to the Medias’ requests.

The Supreme Court expresses its readiness to inform everywhere, in order for the subsequent material handed over by the press for the public, to be true, effective and above all, correct.

The Supreme Court requests to the written Media, to not deform the published official information. The lack of ethic and the core professional principles of a Journalist turn the latter in a person without sense of gratitude and dependent. The information given in an official way cannot and, should not, be misinterpreted.


As for the phrase used by the journalist that: “ The Supreme Court has pretended that the selection of the Justice Sinoimeri is made through a manual lot ..” we should like to let you know that this information is deformed. The manual lot is a common procedure, which is handled, in the presence of all the Justices and their legal assistants, as is provided in the legal and normative acts in force for the cases in which the Supreme Court has initial jurisdiction.

Regarding the main article published by the newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare dated 22.01.2010, titled: “The Justice who releases Mediun will judge Berishen”, we repudiate the published information since it is not correct. Justice Evjeni Sinoimeri, in the judgment that dismissed the case against the former-Minister of Defense Fatmir Mediu, has voted against this decision, being in minority.

We are sure that the newspaper Gazeta Shqiptare will carefully verify its sources of information and will repudiate the incorrect published information.

The Supreme Court will always be open to cooperate with the press, with the only aim: the correct information of the public opinion and the avoidance of misinterpretation.

SHPRESA BEÇAJ
CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT