Explosive courtroom audio exposes SPAK prosecutor’s insults and threats against Erion Veliaj

A newly surfaced courtroom audio recording, published by Shqiptarja.com has sent shockwaves through Albania’s judicial and political landscape. The leaked recording confirms that Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) prosecutor Olsi Dado did indeed insult and berate Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj during his pretrial hearing, just as the mayor had claimed. Dado repeatedly interrupted Veliaj, calling him a “pathological liar” and “filthy,” and at one point seemed to threaten the mayor by saying, “I’ll give you this surprise too.” The recording directly contradicts the court’s denial and the official transcript, which omitted the insults. These revelations emerge just hours after the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP) issued an indignant statement defending Dado, further exposing deep flaws in Albania’s justice system.

Why is this important: What was yesterday a disputed claim by Erion Veliaj has now been confirmed beyond doubt: the lead SPAK prosecutor in one of Albania’s most high-profile corruption cases totally lost his composure, hurled insults at the defendant, and seemingly made personal threats. The audio evidence casts a serious shadow over the integrity of the entire SPAK prosecution team, the judge presiding over the case, and the KLP—all of whom appear complicit in attempting to cover up Dado’s misconduct rather than upholding justice.

The fact that SPAK’s chief prosecutor, Altin Dumani, is part of the prosecuting team but failed to reveal the truth and challenge the denials—while the judge issued a false formal rejection and an apparently doctored transcript, and the KLP rushed to defend the prosecutor—suggests a troubling pattern of prioritizing institutional loyalty over legal principles.

Furthermore, the revelations call into question the legality of Veliaj’s arrest and pretrial detention. With Veliaj repeatedly asking the court, “Why am I in prison?”, the scandal raises urgent doubts about whether SPAK is applying justice fairly or selectively targeting individuals for motives beyond the law.

Context: The Court’s denials and KLP’s statement, issued just hours before the audio leak, have backfired spectacularly. Both institutions categorically denied any wrongdoing by the prosecutor, with KLP dismissing concerns about judicial ethics and condemning what it called “pressures against SPAK.” Yet, the leaked recording proves that KLP rushed to protect Dado without even attempting to investigate the allegations.

The scandal is further fueled by the double standards in KLP’s responses. While the council rushed to defend Dado without even verifying the facts, it has remained silent for years as opposition leader Sali Berisha launched relentless verbal attacks and direct threats against SPAK prosecutors and judges—including against SPAK Chief Altin Dumani himself. This flagrant inconsistency calls into question whether judicial institutions are truly independent or merely protecting their own at the expense of justice.

Key questions that SPAK and KLP must answer: The audio recording raises multiple serious questions that Albania’s judicial institutions can no longer ignore. These include:

1. On what basis was Veliaj arrested, and why is he still being held?

Veliaj’s repeated question—“Why am I in prison?”—remains unanswered. The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) recently ruled against Albania in the Gëllçi case, stating that pretrial detention must be based on concrete evidence and not used as a tool to pressure defendants. Yet, in Veliaj’s case, no specific justification for his continued imprisonment has been provided.

2. Did KLP conduct a real investigation, or did it reflexively shield a prosecutor?

KLP’s rushed defense of Dado suggests it did not even attempt to investigate the claims before issuing its statement. Was its response simply a knee-jerk reaction to defend a fellow prosecutor without assessing the facts?

3. How did SPAK assign such a critical case to a prosecutor who cannot maintain professional composure?

The case against Veliaj is arguably the most sensitive investigation in Albania. How, then, did SPAK allow a prosecutor with an apparent conflict of interest and a clear lack of self-control, who engages in personal attacks, to lead the prosecution? This raises serious concerns about internal decision-making within SPAK.

4. Why did SPAK Chief Altin Dumani remain silent when the allegations first surfaced?

Dado’s inappropriate behavior was initially denied by the court, which released a seemingly doctored transcript omitting the insults. However, Dumani, who was physically present in the courtroom when the insults occurred, did not challenge the court’s false denial. Why did he remain silent? His lack of response suggests a tacit approval of misconduct—or worse.

5. What does this say about the judge who denied the allegations and issued a misleading transcript?

Judicial integrity is also at stake. The judge presiding over Veliaj’s case, who is heard reprimanding the prosecutor for his behavior in the leaked audio, appears to have actively contributed to covering up the incidents by releasing a transcript that omitted key parts of the exchange. If the court itself is illegally altering records to protect a prosecutor, how can the public trust in the fairness of judicial proceedings?

What’s next: The explosive revelations from the courtroom audio have put Albania’s justice reform under intense scrutiny. The immediate questions now are:

• Will KLP retract its statement, apologize and take action against Dado now that the evidence is undeniable?
• Will the High Inspectorate of Justice (ILD) finally move and investigate this case properly, considering its implications for the entire justice system?
• Will the government, which has pledged to uphold European legal standards, demand accountability from judicial bodies?
• Will the apparent manipulation of the transcripts and the apparent attempt to mislead the public by the court be investigated?

What else: The Veliaj case is no longer just about one politician—it has become a test case for Albania’s entire reformed justice system. If prosecutorial misconduct, judicial cover-ups, and reflexive institutional defenses are allowed to go unchecked, it will send a clear message that justice in Albania is selective and subject to manipulation.