SPAK and GJKKO furious over Veliaj supporters’ protest, fueling accusations of double standards
SPAK and the Special Court Against Corruption (GJKKO) have reacted furiously to the presence of Erion Veliaj’s supporters outside the court during his detention hearing and the lack of a police response. In official letters to the State Police and the Ministry of Interior, they claim the protesters intimidated judicial staff and jeopardized institutional security, while the authorities did not take action.
Why is this important: Thie letters mark the first time SPAK and GJKKO have issued such a strong condemnation of a political gathering, despite frequent protests outside its offices whenever opposition figures like Sali Berisha and former President Ilir Meta faced had to appear. SPAK and GJKKO’s outrage over Veliaj’s supporters, while tolerating Berisha’s numerous staged rallies and press conferences outside its headquarters, are feeding into a perception of hypocrisy and judicial double standards, further incensing opinions.
Context: Despite the protest being entirely peaceful, both SPAK and GJKKO claimed that it threatened its staff’s security, prompting them to formally alert the Minister of Interior and demand preventative measures for future demonstrations. However, judges and prosecutors never raised similar concerns over the repeated far noisier mass gatherings organized by Berisha and his allies.
Berisha, who has repeatedly turned his court-ordered appearances into public spectacles, denounced Veliaj’s supporters as a “criminal attack on institutions” yet announced another press conference outside SPAK on Monday after his own scheduled court visit.
Government response: In Parliament, the Minister of Interior insisted that the police managed the situation appropriately, ensuring a peaceful gathering and safe dispersal of Veliaj’s supporters. However, the Democratic Party has lashed out, accusing the government of failing to prevent the protest and announcing plans to file criminal complaints against the Minister and the Director of Police.
What’s next: As SPAK’s perceived aggressive stance against Veliaj’s extends to his supporters, and Berisha preparing yet another rally in front of SPAK, the accusations of political bias are bound to intensify.
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