Albania's central bank governor fired after millions found missing

Central Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani, center, sits behind bars in a court room in Tirana Thursday Sept. 18, 2014. The Albanian Parliament has discharged central Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani, who is charged with abuse of office, for alleged mismanagement in connection with a multi-million dollar theft from the bank's reserves. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) (The Associated Press)

Central Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani, center, arrives at court in Tirana Thursday Sept. 18, 2014. The Albanian Parliament has discharged central Bank of Albania governor Ardian Fullani, who is charged with abuse of office, for alleged mismanagement in connection with a multi-million dollar theft from the bank's reserves. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina) (The Associated Press)

TIRANA, Albania – Albania's parliament has fired the country's central bank governor, following his recent arrest after millions of dollars from the bank's reserves went missing.

Lawmakers voted 72-6 to discharge Ardian Fullani, after the bank's executive board argued he had "posed a grave threat to the bank's interests."

Fullani, who had been serving his second, seven-year term since being appointed in 2004, was charged with abuse of office after 713 million leks ($6.5 million) of the bank's money was discovered to be missing in July.

He was jailed earlier this month and later moved to house arrest.

Seventeen other central bank employees have also been arrested. Fullani denies any wrongdoing, and has not been accused of personally profiting from the theft. Bank executive Elisabeta Gjoni is currently acting governor.