How did the investigation that led to Erion Veliaj’s arrest begin?

The SPAK indictment is based on a complaint filed by an anonymous person, Nesti Angoni. The complaint was sent by mail to SPAK. Based on this, the file was registered in the investigation, but the mayor’s name was not registered as a person under investigation.

In December 2024, the Mayor of Tirana testified before BKH agents as a person who was related to the criminal offense of passive corruption, while a property investigation was also launched. His family members were also questioned as persons with knowledge.

On December 6, 2024, SPAK seized the phone of his wife, Ajola Xoxa. By decision of the GJKKO, searches were also carried out at the ‘Harabel’ studio in the former Blloku, where documents related to the investigations launched by prosecutor Ols Dado, regarding the assets of Erion Veliaj and his family members, were seized. Meanwhile, a search was also carried out at the apartment of Erion Veliaj’s brother.

Charges
Veliaj was charged today with the criminal offenses of “passive corruption of high-ranking state officials or local elected officials” in 9 cases, as well as “laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity”. Against his wife, SPAK says that the charges of passive corruption, money laundering and concealment of assets are aggravated. Meanwhile, the 5 businessmen are accused by SPAK of the criminal offense of active corruption. In the investigation, SPAK announces that it has also put a deputy (Klotilda Bushka) under investigation, who, according to the special prosecution, has obstructed the discovery of the truth. The two prosecutors who investigated the case are Ols Dado and Altin Dumani.

SPAK says that the mayor of Tirana approved the distribution of public funds as well as construction permits to several commercial entities closely linked to him.

“These public funds then ended up in several non-profit organizations, limited liability companies, natural persons controlled ‘de jure’ and ‘de facto’ by his wife, Ajola Xoxa, as well as individuals close to the latter, creating a suspicious and complicated network of transactions,” SPAK emphasizes.

This group of persons, according to SPAK, in addition to the real estate they have benefited from, have generated income, which amounts to around 110,000,000 lekë, SPAK informed today.

The proceeding body has reached the conclusion that, in addition to the immovable properties acquired by the citizens under investigation (under the property regime of the legal community), the latter, only through the companies “P. L.” shpk, “A. L.” shpk, “A. S.” shpk, “N. G.” shpk, “H.” OJF, “E.” OJF, “B.-A” OJF and “M.” OJF, for which there is sufficient evidence that they are fully controlled by the wife of the Mayor of Tirana, but also “RAMETAL” shpk and other companies related to the citizen under investigation Elman Abule, have generated income amounting to around 110,000,000 lekë,” informs SPAK.