Bank of Albania proposes dismissal of governor Fullani over bank theft

Bank of Albania (BoA) on Sunday proposed to the parliament the dismissal of Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani who has been arrested over a big amount of bank theft.

The bank also called for Deputy Governor Elizabeta Gjoni to take the helm at the central bank, according to Albanian Telegraphic Agency.

"The absence of the Governor does not create an institutional vacuum in the management of the institution, under the conditions when legal and sublegal provisions stipulate and enable unequivocally the transfer of competences to the First Deputy Governor," the bank said in a press release.

The bank affirmed its full support to the First Deputy Governor in assuming the competences for the executive management of the bank and welcomed the measures taken by the First Deputy Governor to ensure a normal continuation of the institution's operational activity.

The bank also assured the public and the authorities that it is exercising its functions with the highest responsibility.

"The Bank of Albania will continue to offer its full cooperation to the parliament and law enforcement bodies, transparently and professionally, with the aim to see the event tackled and the responsibilities determined for all the persons under investigation," the bank said.

Fullani was arrested Friday on charges of "abuse of office" over the theft of 713 million lek (6.63 million U. S. dollars) from the bank's vaults by an employee. He would get a seven-year jail sentence if convicted.

In another development, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with President Bujar Nishani on Sunday. The prime minister's office said that the two top officials have shared views on the importance of ensuring an ongoing performance in Bank of Albania.

They agreed to work to strengthen the institution's independence and respect the professional standards at the bank.