Erion Veliaj remains in prison as Supreme Court rejects mayor’s appeal

Erion Veliaj will remain in custody. This is the decision of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, issued today, September 15.

The decision was made after the examination of the criminal case file, in which Erion Veliaj was the applicant. He had challenged the security measure of “imprisonment.”

In his application, Veliaj had requested the annulment of a series of decisions by the Special Court of First Instance, the Special Court of Appeal and, previously, the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court.

Decision:

The Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, convened on September 15, 2026, in a deliberation session, examined the criminal case file involving: Applicant: Erion Veliaj; Interested party: the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime; and subject: the annulment of Decision No. 7, dated 09.02.2025, of the Special Court of First Instance against Corruption and Organized Crime, upheld through Decision No. 14, dated 12.02.2025, of the Special Court of First Instance against Corruption and Organized Crime; Decision No. 13, dated 13.03.2025, of the Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime; and Decision No. 00-2025-1153 (176), dated 08.07.2025, of the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court. Court costs are charged to the interested party.

After examining the case, the Chamber, pursuant to Article 441, paragraph 1, letter “e” of the Code of Criminal Procedure, decided to uphold Decision No. 13 (87-2025-85), dated 13.03.2025, of the Special Court of Appeal against Corruption and Organized Crime.