FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (SCOC) is holding a preliminary hearing today at 12:00 for the dismissed mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, his wife Ajola Xoxa and the other defendants included in the case.
The hearing will be presided over by Judge Etleva Deda, who is expected to decide whether the case will proceed to trial, or be returned to SPAK for further investigation. The file has been sent for trial on September 10.
Let us recall that former mayor Veliaj faces five serious charges: passive corruption, money laundering, concealment of assets, abuse of office and bringing prohibited items into the cell. According to SPAK, he is suspected of 9 cases of corruption in relations with companies that have obtained construction permits or public funds from the Municipality of Tirana, in exchange for illegal benefits.
His wife, Ajola Xoxa, is also included in the same charges, and is suspected of having connections with private entities and non-profit organizations. She is also accused of failing to declare assets and concealing income.
16 other people, businessmen and relatives of the Veliaj-Xoxa couple, have also been sent for trial. Among them is the former socialist MP, Klotilda Bushka. Also among them is a guard at the Durrës prison, who is accused of giving Veliaj a mobile phone while escorting him to court.
Meanwhile, Veliaj has requested his release from prison through a recourse to the High Court. The hearing to review the request is scheduled for October 2, with Judge Albana Boksi as rapporteur.
We recall that Veliaj was dismissed from the position of mayor on September 25, by decision of the Council of Ministers, after he had not reported to duty for more than three months after his arrest on February 10. Following this decision, the government must notify the President of the Republic of the declaration of a vacancy in the Municipality of Tirana, while the President has 48 hours to decree the date of new elections.
Veliaj, for his part, is still within the 15-day deadline to appeal the dismissal decision to the Constitutional Court.
Lini një Përgjigje