Arrest of Ilir Meta/ Xixho: Vilson Bala, who kidnapped him, will lead the Tirana Police

While the Ombudsman was reporting to the Legal Affairs Committee on the 2025 budget, the opposition several times left the agenda, addressing various topics, such as the Italy-Albania immigrant agreement, but also the issue of Ilir Meta's arrest, the president of the Freedom Party.

The Deputy of PL, Erisa Xixho raised the concern and asked for information from Erinda Ballanca about the actions performed by the Ombudsman.

"A very serious event has happened. The former President of the Republic, Mr. Meta, was dragged in the eyes of the public, by masked policemen, without identification marks, in a bandit-like manner.

It was filmed to denigrate and treat her inhumanely. We have some flagrant violations of the state police and operational forces.

We are at a point where the arrest process has not been done properly. This process carried out by the operational forces, the person who gave the order is called Vilson Bala, that today this thug will lead the Tirana Police (shows it with a photo), who gave the order to be treated inhumanely. There was also the person who showed up at the hotel to film and present to the whole world the inhumane arrest ," said Xixho.

As he further requested information from Ballanca regarding the arrest, which he described as "kidnapping and terrorist act".

"I know that you have started a process for this arrest and terrorist act and have taken the necessary steps to be informed about this case. What information and what steps are you following?", asked Xixho.

Ballanca replied that:

" I was concerned about the footage that leaked to the media, and the way the arrest was formalized, which is a court order. The actions of the state police, in the estimation of the People's Advocate, were necessary to have an investigation on this matter.

We started a process the next day, we sent the relevant communications and letters, we received answers from SPAK and BKH who were not present. While the response from the State Police is limited.

We are evaluating and taking appropriate measures to bring this matter to an end. Be sure that our findings will be in accordance with the law and will be made public".

Bllanca further added that "the fact that we have initiated an investigation means that we have identified a problem. We will investigate and our official position will be at the end with the recommendations".