FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Special Appeal is expected to review today the request of the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, for the change of the security measure "arrest with prison". The case has been scheduled for review by Judge Nertina Kosova.
Veliaj has appealed the February 1 decision issued by Judge Etleva Deda, which decided to continue his detention in prison. In his request to the Appeals Court, Veliaj requested that this measure be replaced with a more lenient measure, offering financial guarantees or any other alternative provided by law.
The Special Appeal will assess whether the legal conditions and criteria exist for changing the security measure and for his release from the cell. The request comes after the decision to transfer the case to trial, while the defense has argued that at this procedural stage there is no risk of evidence being destroyed.
In previous hearings, Veliaj has claimed that his right to effective defense has been violated, stating that he has not yet been familiarized with the investigative file. He has also objected to the representation by the lawyer appointed by the court, refusing any procedural action taken by her.
According to him, the lawyer has no real knowledge of the criminal file and her representation conflicts with the interests and defense strategy that he intends to pursue, by not representing his will.
Erion Veliaj has been in prison custody since February 10, 2025. The Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) sent the file against him for trial about five months ago.
SPAK has filed 13 charges against him, including passive corruption, money laundering, failure to declare assets, abuse of office and introducing prohibited items into prisons. The majority of the charges relate to passive corruption, suspected in nine cases, in relation to several companies.
According to the prosecution, Veliaj is suspected of having irregularly benefited from monetary sums and real estate from entities that, in turn, have received construction permits and benefited from public funds from the Municipality of Tirana.
His wife, Ajola Xoxa, is also included in the same file. SPAK accuses her of passive corruption in nine cases, related to commercial entities and non-profit organizations. She also faces charges of money laundering, failure to declare assets and concealment of income.
Today's hearing at the Special Appeal is expected to determine whether the security measure against the mayor of Tirana will remain in force or change, while the trial against him and other persons involved continues.
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