VIDEO/ Hoxha recounts call with Veliaj’s lawyer: Ndreca argued fiercely with Rama, even trading insults; they are “before the firing squad

Appearing on the programme Prime on News24, journalist Artan Hoxha said he had spoken during the day with Plarent Ndreca, Erion Veliaj’s lawyer, about the latest developments.

According to Hoxha, the clash between Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj began in September, when the latter returned to lead the municipality. The journalist said Ndreca had told him about communications he had had with people close to the prime minister.

In his assessment, Rama has placed both the lawyer and Veliaj “before the firing squad”. Hoxha described the pressure exerted by the prime minister as tightening the noose to the point where a person might take their own life.

The journalist stressed that, since returning to the helm of Tirana Municipality, Veliaj has carried out dismissals. He added that a large number of decisions cannot be approved without the mayor’s signature.

Hoxha interpreted Rama’s decision to send the justice minister as a sign that the prime minister had exhausted other courses of action.

Speaking about violence, the journalist said the situation had reached a point where police violence against students seemed insignificant. According to him, if the mayor of Tirana is subjected to such treatment, one can imagine the violence and beatings prisoners endure in the country’s prisons.