Albanian National Security Council conveyed Friday to discuss police’s failure to arrest Klement Balili, an Albanian national accused of international drug trafficking.

The meeting, in which Prime Minister Edi Rama did not join President Bujar Nishani, Parliament Speaker Ilir Meta, ministers and other high ranked officials, lasted for about two hours. It conveyed upon the request of Ilir Meta, who argued the meeting with concerns voiced by the international partners about the inaction of Albanian institutions.

President Nishani told the participants that the raised concern was serous, legitimate and it was necessary to underline Albanian institution’s commitment in the fight against organized crime.

Parliament Speaker told those present at the meeting that Balili issue is not only a major public concern, but also a source of concern allies and strategic partners.

Albanian leaders said the meeting was important to demonstrate the reliability of Albanian institutions and other parts of state apparatus in the fight against crime, drugs cultivation and trafficking.  

Greek authorities issued an arrest warrant for Klement Balili on May, 12th 2016, upon accusations for international drug trafficking.

The warrant arrived at Interpol Tirana on May 17, but his full file of 1700 pages arrived at Albanian capital only in December last year.

The issue was handed over by the Prosecution for Serious Crimes, which issued another arrest warrant for the fugitive.  Albanian police has searched for him in some of his properties in Saranda and Divjaka, but has failed to find him./tvklan.al