#Due Process #Erion Veliaj #Albania #Tirana

A Year of Unjust Detention: The Case of Erion Veliaj

Today marks a grim milestone in Albanian politics—the one-year anniversary of the unjust detention of Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana. This situation, described by many as a flagrant violation of due process, has drawn international scrutiny and sparked widespread discourse about the state of justice in emerging democracies.

Erion Veliaj was detained by Albania's Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) without sufficient evidence that suggested he posed any flight risk or was attempting to obstruct justice. Over the past 365 days, his ongoing detention has been perceived not only as an abuse of judicial power but also as a glaring example of political persecution.

The Backstory

From February to July of the previous year, Veliaj was held in custody without being formally charged with any wrongdoing. His arrest, the basis for which remains vague and unfounded, was utilized politically, with the Tirana City Council citing his detention as grounds for initiating attempts to remove him from office. Such actions seem designed to undermine the will of the electorate that re-elected him multiple times.

In a disturbing turn of events last month, Veliaj's legal defense team faced significant hurdles when they were denied access to essential documents—over 60,000 pages of evidence—that are crucial for preparing his defense before the trial. This deprivation not only questions the fairness of the judicial processes but starkly illustrates the lengths to which authorities may go to stifle dissent and silencing elected officials.

A Political Show Trial?

Daniel J. Fetterman, an attorney for Kasowitz and among the international legal representatives for Veliaj, described the entire scenario as a political show trial, replete with irregularities and egregious violations of fairness and justice standards upheld in both the United States and Europe. “This case is characterized by an alarming disregard for basic due process rights,” he stated, emphasizing the distressing precedent set by Veliaj’s treatment.

Despite these injustices, recent developments indicate that not all hope is lost. In November, the Constitutional Court of Albania dismissed the City Council's attempt to dismiss Veliaj, reaffirming his position and ensuring his ability to serve until 2027. Media coverage within Albania has increasingly focused on the punitive nature of the SPAK's actions against Veliaj, paralleling them with oppressive regimes and drawing comparisons to a modern-day Cultural Revolution—a scenario where propaganda is wielded to justify civil rights abuses.

International observers, including various representatives of civic society and governance bodies, have echoed these concerns. A coalition of 76 mayors and members from the