Angry courtroom exchange: SPAK prosecutor hurls insults at Erion Veliaj, sparking controversy

A newly published excerpt from the court session involving Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has raised serious questions about the behavior of the prosecutor and the integrity of the judicial process. The excerpt, shared on Veliaj’s Facebook account, captures a heated exchange between Veliaj and Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor Olsi Dado, with the latter losing control and hurling insults at Veliaj.

Why is this important: The controversy has deepened the already growing tensions surrounding SPAK’s investigation into Veliaj, bringing to light concerns over conflicts of interest, ethical breaches, and alleged intimidation. The public debate now extends beyond Veliaj’s legal battle, raising broader concerns about prosecutorial conduct and judicial impartiality.

Context: As reported earlier, during the court session, Veliaj accused SPAK prosecutor Olsi Dado that he had previously intervened to secure two construction permits. According to Veliaj, after securing the first permit, Dado allegedly applied for a second one, and when it was denied, he resorted to threats against the mayor. The situation apparently escalated when Dado, in response to Veliaj’s accusations, lashed out angrily:

“Filth! You have no shame saying that, mentioning the prosecutor’s residence here! What is this? Is this a threat? Is it a threat to mention the prosecutor’s residence?”

Veliaj, however, dismissed the claim that he was making threats, insisting instead that the situation represented a clear conflict of interest:

“No threat at all. But I believe this is a conflict of interest. And this is not normal.”

A double standard: The courtroom exchange has triggered discussions on the appropriate conduct of prosecutors in high-profile cases. While Veliaj’s own tone and public attacks on SPAK have been criticized, some argue that the prosecutor’s behavior should be held to an even higher ethical standard.

Legal experts and commentators have pointed out that the fact that a prosecutor used offensive language against a defendant in a courtroom setting raises serious concerns about judicial fairness and about the case becoming a personal vendetta.

Others have questioned whether Dado’s involvement in the case should continue, arguing that his alleged personal interests and emotional reaction could compromise his objectivity. Calls have emerged for SPAK to remove Dado from the case, and some have even suggested that disciplinary measures should be considered to restore credibility to the prosecution’s case.

What’s next: As the debate continues, the professionalism and credibility of SPAK are coming under growing scrutiny. Meanwhile, Veliaj remains in pretrial detention, maintaining that his prosecution is politically motivated. As tensions between the government and SPAK continue to escalate, this latest controversy adds yet another layer of uncertainty to Albania’s high-stakes judicial battles.