Albanian Supreme Court Rules to Keep Mayor of Tirana in Detention
In a landmark decision on July 11, 2025, the Albanian Supreme Court ruled to uphold the detention of Tirana's Mayor, Erion Veliaj, at the IEVP Durrës prison in Durrës, Albania. This decision has not only sparked a wave of concern amongst the legal community but has also continued to place immense stress on Veliaj's family and friends. The ruling was rendered in a closed session where critical documents were reviewed, although details remain undisclosed. Mayor Veliaj has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the allegations against him are baseless. Representing him in this complex legal battle are the international law firms Kasowitz LLP and Mishcon de Reya.
The circumstances surrounding Mayor Veliaj's detention are troubling. After spending nearly five months behind bars, he has been subjected to a government investigation by the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) lasting approximately two years. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Veliaj has been denied access to his international legal counsel, a situation that raises significant questions about the integrity of the legal process he is undergoing.
Daniel Fetterman, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and now a partner at Kasowitz, highlighted the stark contrasts in this case to due process principles. He stated, “The continued detention of Mayor Veliaj – without charges and amidst evident, reasonable alternatives – blatantly contradicts the established principles of fair trial and the rule of law.”
The mayor expressed his frustration with the court's decision, declaring it a severe disappointment. "Today’s ruling by the Albanian Supreme Court was meant to bring me a step closer to returning to my family. Instead, I remain imprisoned and isolated in IEVP Durrës, without the ability to communicate with my international legal representatives or gather the necessary information for an adequate defense against the accusations made against me. I will continue to exhaust all legal avenues to return to serve the people of Tirana," he asserted.
Ben Brandon, a partner at Mishcon de Reya, echoed the concerns, stating that European human rights protocols explicitly prohibit arbitrary detention and mandate that the detention of individuals must be necessary, proportionate, and justifiable. He emphasized the legal teams’ commitment to exploring all available legal metrics as they await a full ruling from the Supreme Court.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of such decisions on human rights standards in Albania are significant. With both law firms pledging to vocally argue Mayor Veliaj’s case, they are poised to keep pressure on the Albanian judicial framework. They aim not only to advocate for the mayor’s rights but also to challenge a system that may otherwise repudiate the core tenets of justice.
For now, the eyes of the nation—and indeed the international community—remain focused on this high-profile case, with many hoping for a resolution that addresses both legal integrity and the mayor's rights. The ongoing developments will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for the strength of Albanian justice and the respect for human rights within its legal practices.
The circumstances surrounding Mayor Veliaj's detention are troubling. After spending nearly five months behind bars, he has been subjected to a government investigation by the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) lasting approximately two years. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Veliaj has been denied access to his international legal counsel, a situation that raises significant questions about the integrity of the legal process he is undergoing.
Daniel Fetterman, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and now a partner at Kasowitz, highlighted the stark contrasts in this case to due process principles. He stated, “The continued detention of Mayor Veliaj – without charges and amidst evident, reasonable alternatives – blatantly contradicts the established principles of fair trial and the rule of law.”
The mayor expressed his frustration with the court's decision, declaring it a severe disappointment. "Today’s ruling by the Albanian Supreme Court was meant to bring me a step closer to returning to my family. Instead, I remain imprisoned and isolated in IEVP Durrës, without the ability to communicate with my international legal representatives or gather the necessary information for an adequate defense against the accusations made against me. I will continue to exhaust all legal avenues to return to serve the people of Tirana," he asserted.
Ben Brandon, a partner at Mishcon de Reya, echoed the concerns, stating that European human rights protocols explicitly prohibit arbitrary detention and mandate that the detention of individuals must be necessary, proportionate, and justifiable. He emphasized the legal teams’ commitment to exploring all available legal metrics as they await a full ruling from the Supreme Court.
As the situation unfolds, the implications of such decisions on human rights standards in Albania are significant. With both law firms pledging to vocally argue Mayor Veliaj’s case, they are poised to keep pressure on the Albanian judicial framework. They aim not only to advocate for the mayor’s rights but also to challenge a system that may otherwise repudiate the core tenets of justice.
For now, the eyes of the nation—and indeed the international community—remain focused on this high-profile case, with many hoping for a resolution that addresses both legal integrity and the mayor's rights. The ongoing developments will undoubtedly serve as a litmus test for the strength of Albanian justice and the respect for human rights within its legal practices.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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