May 20 (SeeNews) - The US State Department has extended sanctions on former president and prime minister of Albania, Sali Berisha, due to involvement in corruption while in service, US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, said.
Berisha was involved in "corrupt acts", such as embezzlement of public funds and interfering with public processes for his own benefit and to enrich his political allies and his family members, Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Furthermore, his own rhetoric demonstrates he is willing to protect himself, his family members, and his political allies at the expense of independent investigations, anticorruption efforts, and accountability measures," Blinken added.
Under the decision, Berisha, together with his spouse, son and daughter are banned from entering the US.
Berisha served as president of Albania from 1992 to 1997 and prime minister from 2005 to 2013.