Veliaj’s foreign lawyers prepare Strasbourg appeal against pretrial detention, seek meeting with mayor in custody

The international lawyers representing Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj have asked the Special Prosecution Office 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 together in nine separate instances, obtaining improper benefits in the form of money and real estate.

According to the prosecution, 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 data concerning the manner in which the funds were approved and distributed were collected during the investigation.

According to SPAK, in his capacity as mayor of Tirana, Veliaj signed off on the funds, which are subsequently suspected of having gone to nonprofit organizations controlled by his wife or people close to her.

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

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

Regarding the instances 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 refer to the criminal offense provided for under Article 245.

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