FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Lawyer Plarent Ndreca objected to the way the process was conducted and requested additional guarantees for the protection of the mayor of Tirana.
In the court session against Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, the defense presented five preliminary requests, which according to lawyer Plarent Ndreca are necessary to guarantee a due process of law.
Ndreca stated before the court that accepting these requests would create the conditions for the process to be conducted in accordance with constitutional and procedural standards.
The first request concerned the broadcasting of the trial. According to the lawyer, there is no constitutional obstacle preventing the live broadcast of the hearing and the restriction on the presence of cameras violates the media's right to inform the public.
He opposed the practice followed so far in the courtroom, where cameras are only allowed in the first moments of the session and are removed as soon as the trial begins.
The defense also raised concerns about administrative interference in the process, referring to the procedure for obtaining consent from the parties for filming the session.
Another request related to the way Erion Veliaj was seated in the courtroom. The lawyer requested that the mayor be seated next to his defense attorneys and not in the glass cage usually used for defendants.
According to Ndreca, Veliaj's stay separated from his lawyers violates the presumption of innocence, human dignity and the right to an effective defense. He argued that there is no concrete risk that would justify keeping him in a glass cage during the hearings.
In support of this argument, the defense also referred to the positions of the Helsinki Committee, according to which the use of such structures should remain the exception and not the rule in judicial proceedings.
The third request concerned the administration of evidence. The lawyers stated that they had not yet had the opportunity to fully familiarize themselves with the evidentiary materials and requested additional time to review them before proceeding.
According to the defense, full familiarization with the evidence is a necessary condition for guaranteeing the right to defense and for preparing procedural positions in the further stages of the trial.
Ndreca also raised the issue of two reports filed by Nesti Angonit and Nasta Pëllumbi. He stated that SPAK has not yet responded regarding the manner in which these reports were administered and that this issue is directly related to the current phase of the proceedings.
The fifth request concerned the frequency of court hearings. The defense objected to their holding once a week, arguing that this period is insufficient for communication with the defendants and for organizing the defense.
According to the lawyer, the current pace makes it difficult to prepare an effective defense and limits opportunities for regular consultations with clients.
At the end of his presentation, Ndreca stated that, in addition to the five preliminary requests, the defense will also present other requests related to the invalidity of several procedural acts administered during the investigation and trial.
Erion Veliaj is accused by the Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) of acts related to passive corruption in the exercise of public functions and abuse of office, as part of investigations into alleged actions during his term as mayor of Tirana.
Debates in session
Plarent Ndreca: The documents were made available to us yesterday, around 3:00 p.m. We ask that we first familiarize ourselves with them and then hold a hearing.
Ols Dado: The documents relate to other defendants. We have implemented the court's decision and sent the documentation to the detention center yesterday.
Plarent Ndreca: We have filed five requests from our side, in order to get this process back on track. One of them is the live broadcast of the session, and we have repeated this request again.
Presiding Judge: The decision on this matter has been made.
Plarent Ndreca: Not allowing cameras constitutes a violation of a constitutional right that the media have. We demand that cameras be allowed to film the session. We also demand that Mr. Veliaj be present outside the cage, next to his lawyer. The other request is that we be familiar with the digital evidence and be given the opportunity to present our objections to its unusability.
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