Belinda Balluku: suspension under Art. 242 and Assembly refusal to lift immunity (Mar 2026)
Status: Indicted; immunity not lifted (12 Mar 2026); no verdict
Summary
Deputy PM Belinda Balluku was indicted by SPAK in tender files, reported 31 Oct 2025. GJKKO suspended her from office in November 2025 under Article 242 of the Criminal Procedure Code. SPAK asked the Assembly to lift her immunity so it could arrest her. On 12 Mar 2026 the Assembly refused by 82 votes against and 47 for. Rama then said the Article 242 rule should be changed so courts could not suspend senior officials.
This case shows what the immunity rule does in practice: a sitting MP can be charged and suspended from office, but an arrest requires an Assembly majority, which the governing party used to block it.
Key facts
- 31 Oct 2025: SPAK indicted Balluku (reported).
- Nov 2025: GJKKO suspended her from duty under Art. 242 CPC (Shqiptarja, 30 Nov 2025 article on the reasoning).
- 12 Mar 2026: Assembly rejected SPAK request to lift immunity for arrest: 82 against, 47 for.
- Balkanweb (17 Jul 2026) headline: 'the vote leaves the risk of impunity'.
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 Assembly refused the arrest request on 12 Mar 2026 (vote tally reported by several outlets).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationTender manipulation for the Llogara tunnel and Tirana Outer Ring Road lot 4 (SPAK charges).
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.
- AllegationBalluku influenced tenders for the Llogara tunnel and the Tirana Outer Ring Road lot 4 (SPAK, as reported).
Open questions (2)
- Why did all PS MPs vote against the arrest? Was there a formal PS whip?
- Will the 2026 Article 242 amendment (see case-article-242-cpc-amendment) cover her case?
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Denies wrongdoing (Tirana Times, 11 Nov 2025 paraphrase).
- Rama: the Article 242 rule should be changed after her suspension (Reuters via search summary, Nov 2025).
Timeline
Full timeline →SPAK
SPAK indicts Deputy PM Belinda Balluku
Tender-related charges. Suspension from office followed in November 2025.
Parliament
Assembly refuses to lift Balluku's immunity for arrest (82 against, 47 for)
SPAK asked for arrest authorisation. The majority voted it down.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 17 Jul 2026
- Publisher
- Tirana Times
- Date
- 11 Nov 2025
- Publisher
- Shteg
- Date
- 21 Nov 2025
- Publisher
- Balkanweb
- Date
- 17 Jul 2026