Slander case: Agron Kulicaj v. Taulant Balla (2011-2012)
Status: Returned to first instance by Court of Appeal (Apr 2012). Final outcome not found.
Summary
In October 2011 a Tirana court, judge Rezarta Vigani, found Socialist MP Taulant Balla guilty of slander against police official Agron Kulicaj and imposed a fine of 700,000 lek, according to Top Channel (28 Oct 2011). Balla's accusations came a day after Albanian media reported US WikiLeaks cables that reportedly described Kulicaj as having suspicious ties to organised crime and corruption. Balla said the court did not allow the evidence to be presented and called the decision political.
On 17 April 2012 the Court of Appeal rejected Kulicaj's suit and returned the case to the Tirana court for procedural violations, according to Top Channel. Balla called it an absurd political decision. The sources do not say whether the 2011 fine and the 2012 appeal were the same proceeding, and no final outcome was found.
Key facts
- 28 Oct 2011: Tirana court (judge Rezarta Vigani, per Top Channel) fined Balla 700,000 lek for slander of Kulicaj (Top Channel).
- 17 Apr 2012: Court of Appeal rejected Kulicaj's suit against Balla and sent it back to the Tirana court for procedural violations (Top Channel).
- Kulicaj's suit sought compensation for moral damage over statements in a Balla press release (Top Channel, 17 Apr 2012).
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 (2)
Established by documents or official records, as stated in the research. A recorded charge or indictment proves only that the accusation was made.
- A Tirana court ruling imposing a 700,000 lek fine on Balla is reported by Top Channel (2011). The judgment text was not obtained.
- The Court of Appeal decision of 17 Apr 2012 returning Kulicaj's suit to the Tirana court is reported by Top Channel.
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationBalla's accusations against Kulicaj were based on WikiLeaks cables, as reported by Top Channel.
- AllegationBalla said the court acted on instructions linked to Berisha and Topalli (his claim, as reported by Top Channel, 2011).
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 alleged that Kulicaj had ties to organised crime and corruption; Top Channel links the charge to US WikiLeaks cables reported the day before (as reported; the cable text is not reproduced in the sources).
Open questions (3)
- Is the 2011 fine the first-instance ruling in the same case that the Court of Appeal returned in 2012?
- What was the final judgment and was the fine paid?
- Which WikiLeaks cable content, if any, did the courts rely on?
Responses (2)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Balla (Top Channel, 28 Oct 2011): said he had not changed his accusations, called the decision politically motivated, and said the evidence was not allowed.
- Balla (Top Channel, 17 Apr 2012): 'The Court of Appeal rejected an absurd political decision. I stand to everything that I have said.'
Figures
Money trail →Slander fine imposed on Balla by Tirana court (Kulicaj case)
700,000 lek
otherSource label: Under investigationStated definition: Fine as reported by Top Channel, 28 Oct 2011. Judgment text not obtained. Payee not stated.
Date: 28 Oct 2011 · Payer: Taulant Balla · Payee: not stated in sources
- Wikileaks, MP Balla fined by court (Top Channel) (opens in a new tab)Top Channel · 28 Oct 2011 · journalism · EN
Timeline
Full timeline →Court
Tirana court fines Balla 700,000 lek for slander of Agron Kulicaj
Top Channel (dated 28 Oct 2011) reports that judge Rezarta Vigani of the Tirana court found Balla guilty of slandering police official Kulicaj and imposed a 700,000 lek fine. Balla's accusations came after WikiLeaks cables were reported in Albanian media. The judgment text was not obtained, so the figure rests on one media report.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 2 sources.
Source label: Officially reportedOfficially reported · 1 source
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 17 Apr 2012
Source label: Under investigationUnder investigation · 1 source
- Publisher
- Top Channel
- Date
- 28 Oct 2011