The trial between the leader of the Democratic Party Lulzim Basha and the Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj was postponed as the latter’s attorney did not show up in court.

Friday morning, Veliaj’s defendant called in to report personal health care problems. The next session is due on October 13.

Basha filed a defamation lawsuit against Veliaj last October.

Tirana’s mayor publicly declared that Basha had purchased four houses, in a time that Albania was still recovering from the earthquake as well as economic difficulties set in motion by the pandemic, as well as accusing him of taking advantage of these disasters to build several stories in his home without the adequate permission.

Both have refused reconciliation.