TIRANA. The opposition’s accusations that he bribed or favored a former high-ranking US FBI official were categorically denied by the Albanian prime minister. Edie Rama. Speaking from the floor of Parliament yesterday, Rama said the opposition is seeking to “take political advantage of the trial in the US, which has nothing to do with Albania, or with our government, or with me personally.”

The opposition Democratic Party has filed a request for a parliamentary debate on Rama’s contacts with Charles Magonigal, a former senior FBI counterintelligence official. Magonigal faces prosecution in the US for covering up a 2017 visit to Albania along with a former Albanian intelligence official who allegedly paid him at least $225,000 in bribes.

Magonigal met with Rama several times, and the American recommended caution in issuing oil drilling licenses in Albania to companies with Russian interests. Rama has acknowledged his meetings with Magonigal, but denies any accusations of active or passive bribery, as well as opposition claims of favoritism towards the American.

“The U.S. Attorney’s indictment does not impeach my meetings with Magonigal,” Rama said in his 45-minute speech from the floor of the House of Representatives. Magonigal is also accused of working for a Russian oligarch despite leading an investigation against the Russian. Former President Sali Berisha’s Democratic Party and the leftist Ilir Meta’s Freedom Party have been calling for the resignation of the Rama government for a month now, accusing the prime minister of corruption, ties to organized crime and economic policy failures.

The opposition has scheduled a nationwide demonstration in front of parliament today. An appeals court ruling on who will lead the Democratic Party is also expected today, following a lawsuit filed against Berisha’s election by his predecessor, Lulzim Basha. In 2021, the State Department banned Berisha and his relatives from entering the United States for “acts of corruption that undermine democracy.”