GJKKO refuses to release former judge Pajtime Fetahu from prison

The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime has rejected the request of former Elbasan judge, Pajtime Fetahu, to replace the security measure of "prison arrest" with a lighter measure, due to allegations of serious health problems.

Fetahu, who is being held in Pojska prison in Pogradec, requested her release on the grounds that her health condition has deteriorated and being in a cell is life-threatening. Her legal defense presented medical expertise in support of these claims.

However, after reviewing the request and analyzing the expert reports, the panel of judges composed of Judge Erjon Çela decided not to change the security measure, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to justify a release or replacement of the security measure.

According to the official announcement of the GJKKO, Fetahu filed the request on January 27, 2025, requesting the replacement of the security measure previously imposed by decisions no. 138 and no. 146 of November 2024.

After consideration, the Special Court of First Instance decided:

Rejection of Pajtime Fetahu's request for a change in the security measure; Upholding the decision for "prison arrest".

According to the GJKKO, this decision can be appealed within 5 days to the Special Court of Appeal for Corruption and Organized Crime.

Former judge Pajtime Fetahu is involved in two SPAK files, linked to the criminal groups of Suel Çela and the "Çopja" organization in Elbasan. For the first file, she was placed under "house arrest", while for the second file, she was arrested by court decision.

Fetahu resigned from the justice system on November 16, 2022, a few days before facing the vetting process.