Albania’s former prime minister Sali Berisha on Friday urged U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. government to designate what he called Albania’s criminal networks as terrorist organizations, accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama and senior officials of protecting drug cartels.
“These are among the most dangerous groups in the region, in Europe, and globally,” Berisha said in a post on social media platform X, alleging the groups move and launder billions of euros in drug money “freely and without restriction” in Albania.
Berisha, who leads the opposition Democratic Party, accused Rama of heading the networks and claimed the Albanian government provides political protection to organized crime groups.
He said the designation of these groups as terrorist organizations would enhance security across Albania, the Western Balkans, NATO and Europe.
Berisha added his party was prepared to submit documents and evidence linking Rama and other officials – including his brother Olsi Rama, Interior Minister Taulant Balla, and businessman Ervin Hoxha – to drug cartels operating in the region and beyond.
The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.