Civil defamation case: Genc Pollo v. Taulant Balla (2013)
Status: First-instance civil ruling (2013). Appeal status not found.
Summary
On 24 April 2013 the Civil Court (judge Bledar Abdullai) partially accepted a suit by former minister Genc Pollo against Socialist MP Taulant Balla. The court found that Balla caused moral damage to Pollo by negatively influencing public opinion and set a fine of 30,000 lek, reduced from an original 1 million lek, according to Top Channel. Balla said the ruling was over his claim that roads had been damaged by a company with no licence, and said the decision was 'cooked in Berisha's house'.
Key facts
- Civil Court, judge Bledar Abdullai, per Top Channel (24 Apr 2013).
- Fine: 30,000 lek; the article says the original 1 million lek was reduced.
- The article says the fine was a punishment, not compensation for economic loss.
The record
Four lists kept apart on purpose: what is established, what is only alleged, what is still open, and what those concerned said.
What is proven (1)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- The Civil Court partially accepted Pollo's suit and set a 30,000 lek fine, per Top Channel (2013).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationBalla said the decision was influenced by Berisha. This is his claim, not a finding.
Allegations and who made them (1)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationBalla's statement that roads in Albania were damaged by a company that has no licence or permit was the statement at issue, per Balla's account in Top Channel.
Open questions (2)
- What is the full text of the judgment and the reasoning on the roads statement?
- Was there an appeal and what was the final outcome?
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Balla (Top Channel, 24 Apr 2013): mocked the court for valuing Pollo's dignity at 30,000 lek; asked 'Are our roads damaged or not?'; said the decision 'was cooked in Berisha's house'.
Figures
Money trail →Civil fine on Balla, Pollo defamation suit
30,000 lek
otherSource label: Officially reportedStated definition: Fine after reduction from 1,000,000 lek per Top Channel (24 Apr 2013). Article says it was a punishment, not economic damages.
Date: 24 Apr 2013 · Payer: Taulant Balla · Payee: Genc Pollo
- Pollo fines MP Taulant Balla (Top Channel) (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · 24 Apr 2013 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Court
Civil Court partially accepts Minister Genc Pollo's suit; Balla fined 30,000 lek
The Civil Court (judge Bledar Abdullai) partially accepted Pollo's suit and set a 30,000 lek fine, reduced from 1 million lek, for moral damage. Balla said the decision was 'cooked in Berisha's house' and that the court priced Pollo's dignity at 30,000 lek.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 1 source.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 1 source
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 24 Apr 2013