US Section 7031(c) designation of Sali Berisha (2021) and 2026 waiver
Status: Designation announced 2021. Waiver confirmed 2026. Formal removal not confirmed.
Summary
On 19 May 2021 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a Section 7031(c) designation of Sali Berisha and family members for 'significant corruption'. The public announcement cited his conduct as prime minister: misuse of public funds and interference with public processes to benefit himself, political allies and family. The announcement did not mention Soros or NGOs. Berisha denied the claims. He and his supporters say the designation was retaliation for his criticism of Soros, and that NGOs relied on by the State Department are part of Soros's network. No independent evidence for that retaliation theory was found. On 11 June 2026 the State Department confirmed waivers for 'certain 7031(c) designations' from the previous administration. Its statement to Euronews Albania said waivers were granted to individuals affected by the measures. It did not say the designation was formally lifted. European Western Balkans headlined the article 'US lifts the non grata designation', and Berisha's account relayed in that article says he was notified of the 'lifting'. The formal status is therefore disputed.
Key facts
- Announced by Secretary of State Antony Blinken on 19 May 2021, per European Western Balkans.
- Grounds: significant corruption as prime minister; the announcement did not mention Soros or NGOs.
- Berisha denied the claims. His denial is reported in press coverage (the specific statement was not retrieved).
- Rep. Lee Zeldin criticised the State Department's conduct as 'unacceptable and suspicious', according to a Free Beacon summary. Political statement.
- State Department official on background: Blinken had 'credible information that Berisha was involved in significant corruption' (Free Beacon summary).
- On 11 June 2026 the State Department confirmed waivers for some 7031(c) designations. Its wording did not say the designation was formally rescinded (European Western Balkans, Gazeta Tema).
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.
- The US State Department announced the Section 7031(c) designation of Berisha on 19 May 2021 for significant corruption (European Western Balkans, 2021).
- The State Department confirmed waivers for some 7031(c) designations in June 2026 (European Western Balkans 2026, quoting the department).
What is alleged (2)
Accusations, not findings. Those accused are presumed innocent.
- AllegationThat Berisha was involved in significant corruption as prime minister (US government position; no court finding in the sources read).
- AllegationThat Soros or Soros-funded NGOs drove the designation (Berisha's claim; no evidence found).
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.
- AllegationBerisha claims the designation was retaliation for his criticism of George Soros and that NGOs used by the State Department are part of Soros's network (Free Beacon summary of Berisha's position, 2021). Berisha's claim.
- AllegationDaily Signal (conservative outlet) frames the 2026 waiver as dropping sanctions on 'an avowed opponent of George Soros'. Political commentary.
Open questions (3)
- Has the designation been formally rescinded, or only waived? The State Department's wording suggests waiver only.
- What evidence did the State Department rely on? The public press release does not list it.
- Did any NGO that the State Department relied on have a Soros link? Not established in the sources read.
Responses (1)
Responses of the people and organisations concerned, as recorded.
- Berisha: denies the claims; says the designation was retaliation linked to Soros (Free Beacon and Shqiptarja summaries).
Timeline
Full timeline →International
US State Department designates Berisha under Section 7031(c)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a public designation of Berisha and family members for significant corruption. The announcement did not mention Soros or NGOs. Berisha denied the claims. He later said the designation was retaliation linked to Soros.
International
State Department confirms waivers for some 7031(c) designations, including Berisha's
The State Department confirmed waivers for certain 7031(c) designations from the previous administration on 11 June 2026. Its statement to Euronews Albania said waivers had been granted for individuals affected. It did not say the designation was formally rescinded. The Daily Signal framed the change as dropping sanctions on an opponent of Soros; Berisha suggested Soros played a role. The Open Society Foundations did not respond on whether George or Alex Soros played a role.
Sources for this record
Every source the research cites for this record, grouped by its source label. 5 sources.
Source label: VerifiedVerified · 1 source
- Publisher
- European Western Balkans
- Date
- 19 May 2021
Source label: DisputedDisputed · 4 sources
- Publisher
- European Western Balkans
- Date
- 12 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Daily Signal
- Date
- 13 Jun 2026
- Publisher
- Washington Free Beacon
- Date
- 2021
- Publisher
- Gazeta Tema
- Date
- Jun 2026