The Independent Qualification Commission is dismissed today the Tirana Appellate Judge Fatri Islamaj.
The verdict was given by a panel of Pamela Qirko, Lulzim Hamitaj and Valbona Sandzaktari.
The judge himself did not take part in the session where the decision was made for him, but in the session were his friends, former prosecutor Antoneta Sevdari and judge Erjon Bani.
Fatri Islamaj is graduated from the School of Magistrates in 2003-2006 and started his career in the judicial system from the Fier Court. In 2010, he was transferred to the Tirana Court and three years later was appointed Chairman of the Court.
After three years in the Tirana Court, Fatri Islamaj was decreed by President Nishani as a judge of the Tirana Court of Appeal in 2016. During the year, Islamaj also served as a member of the Justice Appointments Council, selected by lot.
Problems with assets
Relator Valbona Sandzakatari, during a hearing session last week said that HIDAACI’s report on Judge Fatri Islamaj evidenced inaccurate declaration of assets and lack of legal sources.
Also according to the Inspectorate, Islamaj had made a false statement but was not in a conflict of interest situation.
The KPC’s investigation of Fatri Islamaj has focused on the purchase of a 144.5m2 apartment in Tirana as well as several car transactions, which were considered problematic.
Regarding the apartment, the Sandzaktari rapporteur said it was purchased in 2016 circle 84.000 euros 100% funded by Credins Bank.
“It appears from the investigation that the subject purchased the property at a preferential price and that he was favored by the bank in obtaining the loan, ”concluded Sandzaktari at the hearing session.
Making it clear from the outset that he would stop long in his explanations, Islamaj said that he owns a total net worth of 27.000 euros and that his income is circle 17.000 euros.
Islamaj disputed the Commission’s findings regarding the Tirana apartment. He said there is no preferential treatment, as the value per square meter is about 80 euros higher than the normale price.
He added that the apartment is not finished yet, as it has not decided to live there due to increased acoustic and environmental pollution.
He also disputed claims of preferential treatment by the bank, arguing that he had not considered any issues with this entity./abcnews.al
