The hearing at the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) for reviewing the security measure of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, his wife Ajola Xoxa, and several businessmen concluded at 19:20, after starting at 13:30.

It has been learned that during the session, Veliaj’s lawyers offered property guarantees in an attempt to change his security measure from “arrest in prison” to a lighter measure. They also requested a “compulsory appearance” measure for Ajola Xoxa.

Additional details have emerged from the over six-hour-long session at GJKKO regarding the reassessment of Veliaj’s security measure.

Veliaj reportedly stated that the only thing he has done is fulfill his duty as entrusted by the people who voted for him, emphasizing that he has even worked on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

He also claimed that the villa in Qerret, which is at the center of the SPAK accusations, is not his property but belongs to his mother-in-law.

“I was not even explained today why I am arrested. I am a mayor elected by the people of Tirana, and I have simply done my duty. I have even taken time away from my family because I have worked on Saturdays, Sundays, and even during holidays.

But cursed be the one who works in this country, as they become a target of attacks and end up in the situation I find myself in today. The villa in Qerret is not ours—it is only natural that my child’s toys are there. My wife is an only child, and my mother-in-law lives there, so I don’t understand why it seems so unusual for my child’s toys to be at their grandmother’s house,” Veliaj reportedly stated in the courtroom.

“The clothing items all had unique codes and were personal belongings, including lipstick and jewelry,” the prosecutor stated.