Parliament rejects SPAK request to lift Balluku's immunity for arrest (12 March 2026)
Status: Parliamentary decision on 12 March 2026 (request refused). Criminal case continues.
Summary
JOQ Albania reports that on 12 March 2026 the Albanian Parliament voted 82 against and 47 in favour of SPAK's request to lift the immunity of Belinda Balluku so that she could be arrested. International and Albanian outlets report that Parliament rejected the request, that the vote was accompanied by protests and a scuffle, and that the ruling Socialist majority blocked the request.
SPAK had argued that Balluku could influence the investigation, obstruct testimony or flee. Parliament's stated reasons, as reported, cited the institutional framework and the absence of executive duties. The vote does not decide guilt; it concerns the arrest measure only.
Key facts
- Vote on 12 March 2026: 82 against, 47 in favour (JOQ, Joq 1400094; independent summaries of Intellinews and Fox News report the rejection of the SPAK request, with 82 votes cited).
- Immunity request was submitted in December 2025 (see existing ev-2025-12-16-immunity-request-submitted in leaders/.
- Citizens.al (17 Dec 2025) reported that Parliament's handling of the SPAK dossier was described as 'secret or political blockage'.
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.
- Parliament voted against lifting the immunity on 12 March 2026 (multiple independent outlets and JOQ agree on the decision).
What is alleged (1)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat the Socialist majority blocked the arrest request for political reasons (opposition and protesters' claim; not established).
Allegations and who made them (2)
Each line is an allegation as recorded, with the person or body that made it where the record names them.
- AllegationSPAK (as reported): Balluku could influence the investigation, obstruct testimony or flee because of her high public position.
- AllegationOpposition and protesters (as reported by Intellinews and Fox): Parliament shielded a ruling-party figure.
Open questions (1)
- The exact vote tally is reported by JOQ as 82 against and 47 in favour; the independent summary confirms the rejection with 82 votes; the 47 figure is not yet confirmed on an official Parliament record.
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the Parliament decision and criticised Western embassies (search summary of Albanian outlets; primary page not opened).
- Balluku has denied wrongdoing (see case-joq-balluku-llogara-charge-2025 responses).
Timeline
Full timeline →Parliament
Parliament votes against SPAK request to lift Balluku's immunity for arrest
Parliament rejected SPAK's request on 12 March 2026; JOQ reports 82 against and 47 for. Protests and a scuffle were reported at the session.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 4 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 4 sources
- Publisher
- Intellinews
- Date
- Mar 2026
- Publisher
- Fox News
- Date
- Mar 2026
- Publisher
- JOQ Albania
- Date
- 30 Oct 2026
- Publisher
- Citizens.al
- Date
- 17 Dec 2025