TIRANA, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The Albanian Supreme Court Chief Justice Xhezair Zaganjori was dismissed following irregularities in the declaration of his assets and expenditure, the Appellate Special College said Friday in a decision.
According to the Appellate Special College, Zaganjori could not justify some of his assets. The trial panel found discrepancies in the evidences provided by him, namely, an apartment by the seaside and the payment of his children tuition fees abroad.
"Referring to the initial declarations of 2013 and 2017 made by Xhezair Zaganjori, there are irregularities with the property declared, the value and source of the property. He cannot justify his wealth, hence committing incorrect declaration of assets," member of the trial panel Albana Shtylla said on Friday while reading the decision.
One year ago, a lower commission took the decision to leave Zaganjori on the Supreme Court, but the decision was appealed soon after by the Public Commissioner.
Zaganjori, who was not present at the session held Friday, lost his battle with the vetting process.
Zaganjori is one of the many prosecutors and judges who have been dismissed from their positions as part of a vetting process which was launched three years ago following the start of the judicial reform in Albania.
Three years ago, lawmakers in the Albanian Parliament unanimously approved the vetting process with the goal to combat judicial corruption.
The vetting process and the reform of the judiciary system in Albania have also the strong support of the international community. Over 800 judges and prosecutors in Albania will go through the evaluation process. Enditem
