International lawyers ask SPAK to meet Veliaj in pretrial detention, citing a compelling reason

International lawyers representing Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj have asked the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) for authorization to meet him at the pretrial detention facility.

According to information made public, the request filed with SPAK is related to preparations for Veliaj’s next legal steps.

Specifically, his defense lawyers are working to finalize an application expected to be submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Meanwhile, the criminal proceedings against the mayor have already entered another phase, as SPAK has concluded its investigation and sent the case for trial before the Special Court of First Instance.

According to the prosecution’s conclusions, Veliaj faces 13 charges, while his wife, Ajola Xoxa, faces 12 charges.

Based on the preliminary investigation, SPAK alleges that Veliaj and Xoxa acted in concert in nine separate episodes, obtaining improper benefits in the form of money and real estate.

According to the charges, these benefits are suspected of having been provided by private companies and nonprofit organizations that, in turn, received construction permits or public funds linked to the Municipality of Tirana.

Prosecutors claim that evidence and information concerning how the funds were approved and distributed were gathered during the investigation.

According to SPAK, in his capacity as mayor of Tirana, Veliaj signed off on funds that are then suspected of having ended up with nonprofit organizations controlled by his wife or people close to her.

Another part of the case concerns real estate of considerable value.

Prosecutors allege that Veliaj and Xoxa improperly obtained property from private entities that had received public funds or construction permits from the Municipality of Tirana.

For the episodes under investigation, SPAK claims that the defendants’ actions meet the elements of the criminal offense provided for under Article 260 of the Criminal Code.

As for the commercial companies and nonprofit organizations suspected of providing the improper benefits, prosecutors cite the criminal offense provided for under Article 245.

SPAK’s claims remain allegations by the prosecution and will be subject to judicial review.