The Ministry of Justice has responded to Erion Veliaj’s transfer from the pretrial detention facility, explaining that his move to the Institution for the Enforcement of Criminal Decisions (IEVP) in Fier was carried out as part of measures taken to ensure the security and proper functioning of penitentiary institutions.
In a press release, the institution said that upon arriving in Fier, Veliaj underwent standard admission procedures in accordance with the legislation in force on the rights and treatment of people held in pretrial detention.
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According to the statement, on October 28, 2026, Veliaj was placed in the admission and observation section. The following day, October 29, the prison’s responsible departments met with him, heard his claims and provided information about his rights and obligations during his stay at the institution.
After this procedure, the admissions committee proceeded with his full placement, based on an individual assessment and the relevant procedures.
One of the key points in the response concerns the transfer order. The Ministry of Justice explained that it was approved in accordance with standard procedures, but is included on the list of documents classified as a “state secret.”
For this reason, the handling of the document and making it available are subject to the criteria and procedures set out in the law on classified information.
The institution also said that the prosecution service had been notified of Veliaj’s transfer, in accordance with the legislation in force.
The response also cites the legal framework defining the powers of the Director General of Prisons to issue transfer orders when justified reasons exist.
According to the Ministry, assessing and making decisions in such cases fall within the authority and administrative discretion of the Director General, on the basis of the documentation on file and within the legal criteria.
To demonstrate that transfers are part of routine practice, the statement said that the General Directorate of Prisons carried out a total of 24 transfers between October 16 and 27, 2026, in accordance with the legal framework.
Full response:
In light of widespread media speculation, we have decided to issue this unusual press statement regarding standard internal work procedures.
The transfer of citizen E.V. was carried out as part of measures recently taken by the General Directorate of Prisons to ensure security and the proper functioning of institutions for the enforcement of criminal decisions.
Following the transfer of detainee E. V. to IEVP Fier, the admission procedures set out in Article 38 of Law No. 81/2020, dated 25.6.2020, “On the rights and treatment of persons sentenced to imprisonment and persons held in pretrial detention,” and Article 15 of the General Regulations on Prisons, approved by Council of Ministers Decision No. 209, dated 06.04.2022, were implemented.
In accordance with Article 15, paragraph 4, of the General Regulations on Prisons, on 28.10.2026 detainee E.V. was placed in the admission (observation) section and treated properly and in accordance with the legal framework, as in all other cases.
On 29.10.2026, the responsible departments of IEVP Fier met with detainee E.V. in the observation sector. During the meeting, his claims were heard and he was given information about his rights and obligations during his stay at the institution. The admissions committee then proceeded with his full placement, in accordance with the individual assessment and relevant procedures.
As for the transfer order, which has been the subject of particular media speculation, this act was approved in accordance with standard procedures and is included on the list of documents classified as a “state secret.” Consequently, its handling, access to it and release are subject to the conditions, criteria and procedures set out in Law No. 10/2023, “On Classified Information,” and the bylaws issued to implement it.
We add that, in the case of detainee E. V., the prosecution service was also notified, in accordance with the requirements of the legislation in force.
Under Article 78 of Law No. 81/2020, “On the rights and treatment of persons sentenced to imprisonment and persons held in pretrial detention,” and Articles 106–108 of the General Regulations on Prisons, approved by Council of Ministers Decision No. 209, dated 6.4.2022, the Director General of Prisons issues transfer orders for any justified reason. Assessing and deciding on a transfer fall within the Director General’s authority and administrative discretion, as part of normal work practice carried out within the legal conditions and criteria and on the basis of the documentation on file.
Between 16.10.2026 and 27.10.2026, the General Directorate of Prisons carried out 24 (twenty-four) transfers within the legal framework.
The General Directorate of Prisons continues to take the necessary measures to ensure security, prevent incidents and maintain the proper functioning of institutions, while respecting the rights and dignity of incarcerated people.
