Veliaj’s Case in Strasbourg, Lawyer Ben Brandon: His Detention Is Unnecessary, He Must Be Released Immediately

Erion Veliaj’s international lawyer, Ben Brandon, said that the case concerning the security measure imposed on the mayor of Tirana has been subject to unjustified delays, stressing that the standards of the European Court of Human Rights require the prompt review of cases involving deprivation of liberty.

In a statement to the media, Brandon said there had been a 16-month delay, which he described as unexplained.

He said that, under the case law of the Strasbourg Court, member states, including Albania, are required to address cases affecting an individual’s liberty as quickly as possible.

“We have a 16-month delay, and it is unexplained. The Strasbourg Court has made it clear that when a person’s liberty is at stake, member states—Albania in this case—must address the matter of lifting that person’s detention as quickly as possible.

“As I mentioned earlier, this is a matter of public interest. In addition to affecting his family, his detention also has an impact on the citizens of Tirana, who elected him to lead the city.

“Detaining a person must be a measure of last resort. This is a standard established by the Supreme Court of Albania.

“As his international legal representatives, we support the statements made by the Albanian lawyers during the proceedings and believe that his detention as a security measure is unnecessary. He must be released immediately and allowed to exercise the mandate for which he was elected,” the international lawyer said.