TIRANA, Albania (AP) — An Albanian court on Wednesday ruled that former President Ilir Meta should stay in custody while the left-wing Freedom Party leader faces allegations of corruption, money laundering and the hiding of personal income and property.
Prosecutors have not yet filed formal criminal charges. A judge with the Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime, which deals with senior political and state officials, ruled that Meta will be held as investigations continue into charges that could bring 12 years in prison.
Meta, who was president from 2017-2022 and is an outspoken critic of current Prime Minister Edi Rama, has denounced the case as a politically motivated attack on an opposition leader.
Meta's small Freedom Party has joined the anti-government opposition grouping against Rama's the left-wing Socialist Party. Meta has accused the current government of running a “kleptocratic regime” and concentrating all legislative, administrative and judiciary powers in Rama’s hands.
“I believe so much in my full innocence,” Meta wrote on Facebook after masked, plainclothes police officers forcefully took him from his vehicle Monday in Tirana, the capital. Police said he had resisted an order to get out.
The party’s secretary-general, Tedi Blushi, called it “a criminal kidnapping,” while his lawyer Genc Gjokutaj called the case against him politically motivated.
Meta’s former spouse, Monika Kryemadhi, a lawmaker and former leader of the Freedom Party, was accused of the same crimes and ordered to report to police once a month. Two other people also are being investigated.
Prosecutors allege that Meta during his time as minister of economy, trade and energy abused his authority to influence various businesses for financial gain. They also allege that before becoming president in 2017, Meta failed to account for about $460,000 (423,000 Euro) he had used for lobbying in the United States.
Albania, which seeks European Union membership, has been plagued in its post-communist era with corruption that has marred its democratic, economic and social development.
Recently established judicial institutions created with the support of the EU and the United States have launched several investigations into former senior government officials allegedly involved in corruption.
Follow Llazar Semini at https://x.com/lsemini
A court says former Albanian president Meta must stay in custody during corruption investigation
A court says former Albanian president Meta must stay in custody during corruption investigation
FILE - Albanian President Ilir Meta speaks during an interview with the Associated Press in Tirana, Albania, on April 21, 2021. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina, File)
NARA, Japan (AP) — In Japan's ancient capital, Nara, deer moved through grass fields and shaded paths, lowering their heads toward visitors holding special crackers made just for them.
Nara this week hosted a Japan–South Korea summit, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is from the city, welcoming South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
But despite the high-level diplomacy, the deer were still stars of the show.
Tourists around the park stopped to watch or feed the animals with crackers, sold by vendors, that are made from flour and rice husks.
When the deer fix their gazes on visitors, many responded by pulling out crackers and stepping closer.
Not all encounters were gentle. Some deer nudged visitors from behind, sniffing backpacks and shopping bags. Others tried to nibble at coat pockets or chew at clothing when they suspected food was hidden there.
Some visitors hesitated, appearing nervous, but fed the deer anyway. As the animals stepped closer, many tourists recoiled, taking a step back or letting out brief screams. Others lifted their phones to take pictures.
More than 1,000 deer live in the park and surrounding areas. They roam freely across lawns, sidewalks and temple grounds, resting under trees or gathering near food stalls. A few deer were seen wandering into nearby shops.
The deer are protected and are considered sacred according to local Shinto beliefs. Legend has it that a deity arrived in Nara riding a white deer more than a thousand years ago.
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital in the eighth century and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Todaiji temple and Kasuga shrine.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Deer stroll at a Torii shrine gate at Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer walks into a shop at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer wait for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer are fed by a staff at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer waits for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer stands in a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near a banner reading "Welcome Japan-South Korea Summit Meeting" hoisted at a public building.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer waits for food from tourists near Todaiji temple, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A tourist feeds deer at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Tourists pose for their selfie as a deer waits for food at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer pokes its head into a tourist's bag while looking for food at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer peeks behind of a sign at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer stroll at a park in Nara, western Japan, early Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Police officers stand guard as a deer walks by in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer wait for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer rests at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Nara, western Japan, as police officers walk by. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
