Democrat MP’s remarks fuel further suspicions of political bias in Veliaj’s arrest

A senior Democratic Party (DP) MP has inadvertently reignited concerns over political interference in the arrest of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. Edi Paloka, a veteran DP figure, revealed during a televised interview that he was informed of Veliaj’s impending arrest before it was carried out. His comments have intensified scrutiny over alleged leaks from SPAK (the Special Anti-Corruption Structure), which, critics argue, frequently serve DP’s political interests.

Why is this important: SPAK’s credibility has already been under pressure due to growing accusations of selective justice and procedural irregularities in high-profile cases. Paloka’s admission that he received an early tip-off—before law enforcement executed the arrest order—raises serious questions about potential breaches of confidentiality and the use of SPAK’s cases for political maneuvering.

Context: Veliaj, one of the most influential Socialist Party (SP) figures and the party’s campaign chief for the capital, was arrested on February 9 on corruption charges. The move, which came just three months before the elections, was immediately criticized by SP officials as politically motivated. Questions were raised over the prosecution’s reliance on an anonymous tip-off, alleged procedural errors, and accusations of conflict of interest involving the lead prosecutor.

Leaks from within SPAK have been a persistent problem, but they have almost exclusively concerned cases that politically benefit DP. This latest incident adds weight to claims that sensitive judicial information is being strategically leaked to serve political agendas.

What did he say: During an appearance on the tv program “Kjo Javë,” Paloka disclosed that he had received an SMS about Veliaj’s arrest before the operation took place. He admitted that he immediately forwarded the message to the DP’s parliamentary group via WhatsApp.

“As soon as Berisha held his press conference with Trump’s envoy, LaCivita, I wrote in the group: ‘Now expect Rama to fabricate some news to overshadow this.’ A few minutes later, I received the message that Veliaj might be arrested, and it still had not been executed. I shared that information in our group chat,” Paloka stated.

His statement not only suggests that DP was given privileged access to classified legal information but also strengthens suspicions that SPAK’s case against Veliaj was timed for maximum political impact.

What else: Paloka’s remarks have led to several pressing questions.

Who leaked the information to DP? SPAK is the only institution that would have had access to the arrest warrant before its execution. If a DP figure was notified in advance, this strongly suggests an internal breach within SPAK.

Was the prosecutor leading the case involved in the leak? Olsi Dado, the lead prosecutor, has already been accused of a conflict of interest due to his past dealings with Veliaj’s office, but it has also been revealed that in the past he was an active member of DP. If he or another insider tipped off DP, it would further undermine the impartiality of the case.

Why was a television crew already present at the scene? A TV camera crew was positioned outside Tirana’s City Hall at the exact moment of Veliaj’s arrest, raising suspicions that the media had been tipped off in advance—another pattern seen in past politically charged SPAK cases.

A pattern of leaks: This is not the first time that information about high-profile cases, confidential legal information, has found its way to DP politicians or DP-friendly media outlets. Critics argue that this selective leaking reinforces the perception that elements within SPAK are aligned with DP’s agenda.

This latest revelation raises the stakes for SPAK, which has long defended itself against accusations of bias. If leaks from within the institution continue to fuel politically charged narratives, its legitimacy as an independent anti-corruption body may suffer irreparable damage.

What’s next: Veliaj’s legal team has already launched an appeal against his pre-trial detention, citing multiple procedural violations. However, with each new development, the case is turning into more than just a legal battle—it is becoming a defining test for Albania’s justice system. If SPAK is perceived as an institution vulnerable to political manipulation, the long-term consequences could be profound, both for the judicial reform effort and for public trust in the rule of law.