FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime is expected to announce today the decision regarding the criminal case against Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, determining whether or not it will go to trial.
In the preliminary hearing on February 2, Judge Etleva Deda completed the review of the case and set February 9, at 12:00, for the announcement of the verdict. The hearing was accompanied by objections from Veliaj and his defense, who requested an adjournment on the grounds that they were not fully familiar with the investigative materials.
The court rejected the request for adjournment, while Veliaj requested the judge's disqualification and left the hearing. Despite this, Judge Deda considered the defense phase completed and continued the procedure. Subsequently, the request for her disqualification was rejected, confirming that the decision will be announced by the same judge.
Erion Veliaj has been in prison custody since February 10, 2025. His wife, Ajola Xoxa, as well as 28 other individuals and commercial entities, have also been sent for trial in the same case.
SPAK has filed 13 charges against Veliaj, including passive corruption, money laundering, failure to declare assets, abuse of office and introducing prohibited items into prisons. The main part of the charges is related to passive corruption in several cases, where according to the investigations, Veliaj has benefited from monetary sums and real estate from companies that have subsequently received construction permits and public funds from the Municipality of Tirana.
Ajola Xoxa faces similar charges of passive corruption, as well as money laundering, concealment of income and failure to declare assets. Meanwhile, several businessmen are accused of active corruption, money laundering and concealment of income.
In this file, former MP Klotilda Bushka is accused of actions that have hindered the clarification of the case, while Fatjon Baci, an employee of Durrës prison, is accused of having called Veliaj during his transfer to court on two occasions.
Today's decision by the Criminal Court of Kosovo is expected to determine the next phase of one of the most sensational criminal cases in the country.
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