Prime Minister criticizes SPAK over Tirana Mayor’s arrest, refuses to dismiss him
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared on Tuesday that he will not dismiss Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, following his arrest by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Rama described the accusations against Veliaj as a “400-page detective novel,” arguing that the case lacks concrete evidence of corruption and raises suspicions of constitutional overreach by SPAK.
Why is this important: Rama’s statement marks his first public response to the arrest of one of his closest allies and a key figure in the Socialist Party’s campaign for the May 11 elections. He expressed concerns that SPAK’s handling of the case may be politically motivated, potentially influencing the election and undermining judicial integrity. Rama underscored his belief that SPAK’s actions are not only targeting Veliaj but also destabilizing the governance of the capital city.
Context: Veliaj faces charges of passive corruption and money laundering, based on information from an anonymous whistleblower. His wife, Ajola Xoxa, who promptly returned from Italy where she was undergoing treatment for an unspecified medical condition, was not spared house arrest despite being the mother of a six-year-old child, who now relies on the charity of others to be taken to school—an approach that deviates from precedent in similar cases. Critics have raised questions about the legitimacy of the investigation, pointing to alleged procedural violations, including anonymous accusations, media leaks, and intimidation of witnesses. Rama claimed that artists and cultural figures working with the Mayor’s wife – who heads a respected cultural foundations, who were questioned by SPAK faced coercive tactics reminiscent of Kafkaesque scenarios.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of the presumption of innocence, arguing that Veliaj’s arrest leaves the city without its leadership during a crucial electoral period. He criticized SPAK’s timing, noting that the Mayor cannot be treated as if guilty, while no trial has yet taken place and accusing the prosecutors of interfering in the election campaign. The Prime Minister warned that SPAK’s actions risk eroding public trust in Albania’s new judicial institutions.
Concerns over double standards: Rama drew a comparison between Veliaj’s case and that of opposition leader Sali Berisha. Berisha, who was previously under house arrest for corruption charges, had his restrictions lifted to allow him to lead his party’s election campaign. Rama questioned why SPAK did not apply similar standards to Veliaj, arguing that this inconsistency undermines the credibility of the judicial system.
Rama also took issue with SPAK’s decision to target Xoxa, stating: “Even the mother of a six-year-old child is under house arrest while his father is in pretrial detention. Who will take care of the child? Who will feed him? This decision defies common sense and fundamental human rights.”
Addressing SPAK’s Leadership, Rama indirectly criticized Altin Dumani, the head of SPAK, reminding him of past failures to address corruption when he served as a prosecutor in the “January 21” case. Rama hinted that SPAK may be succumbing to political pressures and aligning itself with the opposition in a bid to silence critics.
Broader criticism of the justice system: The Prime Minister acknowledged that while SPAK has gained public support by investigating high-level officials, it must avoid politically motivated actions. Rama stressed that the Socialist Party will no longer remain silent on issues involving judicial misconduct, promising increased oversight, and constructive criticism of the justice system.
He also mocked the opposition’s enthusiasm over hiring former Trump campaign strategist Chris LaCivita, questioning their chances of electoral success.
“Their chances of winning are zero,” Rama declared.
What’s next: The Socialist Party is expected to develop a formal stance on what it perceives as double standards in SPAK’s investigations. Meanwhile, Veliaj’s case will remain a focal point of political debate, with both domestic and international observers closely monitoring the proceedings.
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