Lulo on trial, lawyer: The money came from his sister

Lulo on trial, lawyer: The money came from his sister

After the adoption of the Vetting Law by the Assembly, it has taken 19 months for the first hearing of the Independent Qualification Commission to be held.

Today the inaugural session saw the first individual, former Constitutional Court Judge Fatos Lulo, face the 3 members of the Trial Panel for this process.

Leading the proceedings as Head of the Trial Panel is Genta Bungon, while the relator presenting the case to be defended is Etleva Çiftja. 

Given the sensitive nature of information to be discussed throughout the trial, both Etleva Çiftja and lawyer Ardian Visha confirmed they had no professional objectives to the session being conducted without the presence of cameras due to privacy reasons. 

Judge Fatos Lulo did not appear in court himself, instead choosing to be represented by his lawyer, Visha. 

The case has been raised on the grounds that, according to the Independent Qualification Commission, it is alleged that the judge cannot justify his wealth and assets, and that he has made a false declaration regarding them.

"Mr. Lulo cannot justify the ownership of the apartment on Durresi Street, which he has declared to have ascertained by contract of donation. 

"Nor can he justify the office in Ismail Qemali Street, the US$100,000 which he has also declared as being donated, nor the 480,000 dollars used for apartment purchase and business start-ups in Canada," accused Etleva Çiftja.

Lulo's Lawyer, Ardian Visha, said the issue is not about hiding wealth or making false declarations, but simply the inability to obtain data from the tax department, as he claims the directorate no longer possesses them. 

According to him, the office and 100,000 dollars were donated to the judge by his sister, while the apartment and businesses n Canada to the amount of 480,000 dollars were simply planned purchases that failed to be realized.

"Through his employment as a lawyer, it is proven that Fatos Lulo has enough income and earnings to justify owning the apartment in which he lives. 

"Regarding the business that his sister, Drita Lulo owns, only taxes paid to the state are more than the donation made to her brother Fatos Lulo. 

"The judge has made deposits for a home and business in Canada. This money was paid by his sister, but he did not accomplish his plan and the money was returned to her. 

"The only added wealth of Fatos Lulo during this period is the office and 100 thousand dollars, which were both gifted to him by his sister." declared Ardian Visha.

After submitting the data, the Trial Panel decided to accept and review the declaration of Lulo's sister's wealth, with a hearing set for the decision on Judge Fatos Lulo to be conducted on Friday, March 23rd at 11:00.

EMISIONET