The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested this Monday at the request of SPAK (Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime). Veliaj was detained by BKH (National Bureau of Investigation) agents in his office at Tirana Municipality and was subsequently escorted to Security Block 302 on Mine Peza Street.
Unofficial sources for Euronews Albania report that, in addition to Veliaj, the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has issued four other security measures—three of them requiring judicial supervision (“Obligation to Appear”) and one “House Arrest” order.
The House Arrest measure has reportedly been issued for Veliaj’s wife, Ajola Xoxa.
Mayor Veliaj is accused by SPAK of the following criminal offenses:
- “Active Corruption of High State Officials or Elected Representatives”
- “Money Laundering”
- “Failure to Declare, Non-Declaration, Concealment, or False Declaration of Assets and Private Interests of Elected Officials and Public Officials, or Any Other Person with a Legal Obligation to Declare”
The investigations against Veliaj are led by prosecutors Altin Dumani and Ols Dado. The case is built on reasonable suspicions that the mayor has engaged in criminal activities, benefiting indirectly through businesses linked to his family members and businessman Elman Abule.
