Prime Minister Edi Rama in an interview for the program “Report” on Rai3, also spoke about the connections with the accusations that the former deputy prime minister, Arben Ahmetaj made on the run, stating that the crime bosses receive tenders from the government.
Rama said that he doesn’t believe much in those who speak because the seat of power no longer warms them and adds that according to these people they should not be taken seriously, but only pitied.
Regarding the fact that this person held important positions in the government, Rama responded by saying: Ah! We have a saying in Albania, “there is no forest without pigs”
Rai3: So, it’s remittances from immigrants.
KM: We conducted a study, precisely to understand that we were not in front of a bubble, and it turned out that the demand to buy apartments is much higher than the supply even today. Then, it is the Italians who buy in Albania and the Central Bank of Albania has published a data, according to which, foreign investments in Albania have increased, they have marked an immediate increase thanks to the investments of foreigners from the European Union, who buy houses or office in Albania. And it is about hundreds of millions, not one.
Rai3: In other words, even Kastrati builds the towers with the money of immigrants who save in Italy.
KM: I don’t know exactly who they are, as the data is mixed, but you must understand that for every apartment that is sold in Albania, the origin of the money is checked. In other words, the Calabrian phase, say, of Albania, when houses were bought in Tirana with cash and then balances were made, invoices were made that were half true, has ended.
Rai3: We spoke with an exponent, former important exponent of your government, who claims that in the past years, often, during official government meetings, he warned about cannabis and that you said it would be a “boost” , an important contribution to the economy, will develop Albanians. Is it true?
KM: I don’t know who you talked to, but I wouldn’t trust those who speak because the seat of power no longer warms them. I think so. They are not people to be taken seriously, but can only be pitied.
Rai3: The same person claims that the heads of Albanian criminal organizations also came to this office and that you met them here.
KM: Same source.
Rai3: Yes.
KM: Then it must be a thoroughly polluted source and there must be problems with justice.
Rai3: E, however, has held very important positions in your governments.
KM: Ah! We have a saying in Albania, “there is no forest without pigs”.
Rai3: Yes, is it true or not that you have met Albanian organized crime figures.
KM: I will tell you something, that is what made your report disgusting.
Rai3: However, I’m here to hear your opinion.
KM: I will tell you this. Since the Romans, our civilization has solved this problem. The burden is on the accuser to present the evidence, not the accused, because if I accuse you now or if I ask you an innocent but serious question: “Excuse me, did Becchetti pay you anything?” Is it up to you to prove it or is it up to me to prove it? Then, if I ask you this question, you will say, “Of course not.” But this is not the way to feed the public, because, in the meantime, if I ask you this question, the public will start thinking to themselves, “huh”, because, in general, the human being is many times more inclined to be attracted to lies than the truths. In most cases, the truths are boring, they don’t make news; lies meanwhile are fun, make news and then all politicians are corrupt, all politicians are criminals. Then why not, even the heads of criminal organizations have come here and I draw, while they put their traffic maps in front of me. It would be a beautiful movie.
Rai3: Of course, a specific detail about the figure of Erebus (Crime Lord) Agasi, that is, Erebus Agasi can be a little bit of the one with the reports…
KM: Excuse me, but how can we do an interview, with you representing a famous program in Italy, which has also conducted investigations, which have made surprising discoveries, that is, the public service, and with me, who is the Prime Minister of Albania , and here we bring the conversation to such a low level and talk about people. That is, we get names of people who are not even present, do not have posts and titles, people who have their own lives, it is not possible.
Rai3: I ask you a question, your answer may be convincing.
KM: My answer is this: “It is not in the service of the public to take the names of people, who have their own lives, who are in their work, who have nothing to do with your work, with my work, which is a weighty work, where weighty things are really talked about, then become an object.
Rai3: Yes, the Albanian media also talk about Agas as the shadow man of your government. Is it so or not?
KM: No. Albanian media do not differentiate. Between “Report” and its counterpart in Albania, I choose Report. I mean, for me the repugnance of the Report is honey compared to the repugnance of your counterpart here in Albania. Albanian media is not an argument for this. When I talk to you, since you mentioned architects, I talk to someone who represents the category that, let’s say, was created by Montanelli, not the category created by Enver Hoxha.
Rai3: Going more specifically into the things for which there is documented evidence: your meetings with Luftar Hysa. Why did you meet with Luftar Hysa here in the year…
KM: Another name that is mentioned as harmless. I’m sorry, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to go on the air and mention names that I don’t even know what they mean or who they are.
Rai3: According to Canadian authorities it is one of the biggest money launderers and gambling cartel. Here in Albania, a casino concession has been granted, so we are talking about quite concrete facts and circumstances.
KM: I tell you this, that you talk about Engjëll Agac and this was the peak of your show.
Rai3: I will ask you questions about Agac.
KM: Well, while you’re talking to me about names that don’t come in at all. It is an insult to intelligence to name-call.
Rai3: Yes, for me as a journalist, the fact that the head of the Council of Ministers of Albania meets with a figure who, later, is revealed to be the money launderer of the Sinaloa cartel and one of the most important members, for me this is news and I will ask you about it. I wouldn’t be doing my job well if I didn’t ask you.
KM: I’m sorry, I meet a lot of people and I take responsibility for what I do myself and what people are when they come to me. Then, if somebody is found to be wrong, it’s up to the judiciary to do its job and, of course, it’s up to me, it’s up to the government, it’s up to the administration to distance themselves. If I tell you, I’m sorry, you’re dating Francesco Becchetti, who is a criminal, I’m sorry, but what does that mean? You do your job.
