Supreme Court hearing on Veliaj, Bardhi: His release would mark the end of the Justice Reform

Gazment Bardhi, chairman of the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group, has commented on tomorrow’s hearing at the Supreme Court, where the case involving Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj is expected to be reviewed.

In a statement on social media, Bardhi warned that a decision to release Veliaj would deal a serious blow to the Justice Reform.

The opposition lawmaker also referred to the charges brought by the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) against the mayor, stressing that their number and seriousness should be taken into consideration when determining the security measure.

Full statement

In my view, if the Supreme Court decides tomorrow to release Erion Veliaj from prison, it would constitute the final act in the burial of the Justice Reform.

Veliaj is not in prison because of a single charge. SPAK has indicted him on 9 counts of corruption committed in cooperation, money laundering committed in cooperation on more than one occasion, as well as concealment of assets and abuse of office. These are four of the most serious charges that can be brought against a senior official. In terms of the number and gravity of the criminal offenses, Erion Veliaj today can only be compared with Belinda Balluku.

Bardhi has called on Albania’s international partners to closely monitor the situation at the Supreme Court. According to him, Prime Minister Edi Rama is attempting to influence the judicial panel in order to enable Erion Veliaj’s release from prison.

He added that the partners who have supported the Justice Reform for 10 years can use this case to assess developments at the Supreme Court and the standard of the fight against high-level corruption in Albania.

I call on the judges of the Supreme Court to fulfill their duty and meet the expectations of Albanian citizens for justice and a fight against impunity. If a person accused of 9 counts of corruption and 4 criminal offenses is released, then the pretrial detention system should no longer exist in the country.

Justice cannot function with one standard for citizens and another when individuals belonging to those in power are involved in proceedings.