Kasowitz and Mishcon Release Updated Report on Political Persecution of Tirana's Mayor Erion Veliaj
On October 28, 2025, Kasowitz LLP from New York and Mishcon de Reya LLP from London announced the release of an updated report concerning the case of Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, Albania. This refreshed report highlights the apparent political motives behind the prosecution initiated by the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) against Mayor Veliaj, marking a significant development since their prior report published on June 24, 2025.
The updated document delves into the troubling aspects of the political machinations that have unfolded over the past several months, suggesting that the legal proceedings against Veliaj do not represent a standard criminal prosecution. Since February, Veliaj has been detained, despite assessments indicating that he poses no risk of fleeing or obstructing justice, nor does he represent any danger of reoffending. Alarmingly, while Veliaj remains in custody, seventeen other defendants tied to the same allegations have been granted bail under considerably lenient conditions. This discrepancy paints a disheartening picture of inequity in how the Albanian authorities handle cases involving political figures.
Furthermore, the report notes that recent political events have amplified fears of politically motivated persecution aimed at removing Mayor Veliaj from his duly elected position, a move that contradicts the Albanian constitution. In September, the Tirana City Council voted to dismiss Veliaj, citing his indefinite detention, and subsequently, the President of the Republic announced new elections to find a replacement. This sequence of actions has led to apprehensions that the grounds for Veliaj's detention may have been a pretext for an unconstitutional power grab by Albanian authorities, thereby undermining citizens' right to self-government in Tirana.
While Albania's Constitutional Court has currently suspended these actions pending a decision on Veliaj's appeal against the City Council's decision, the updated report provides a deeper analysis of the implications surrounding this constitutional crisis. It argues that the case surrounding Mayor Veliaj serves as a stark example of Albania's failing commitment to due process. The recent political maneuvers intended to unseat him not only flout the presumption of innocence that Veliaj is entitled to but also strip him of both personal freedom and office, all prior to the commencement of his trial.
The full text of the updated report concerning the Veliaj case is available for review. For inquiries, interested parties can reach out to Shannon O'Reilly at [email protected]. The team behind Kasowitz includes partners Daniel J. Fetterman and Brian S. Choi in New York, Chief Counsel Clarine Nardi Riddle, and Special Counsel David Miller in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the Mishcon de Reya team consists of partners James Libson and Ben Brandon, along with senior associate Celia Marr and associates Grace Houghton and Elizabeth Fitton. Their collective insights offer a critical perspective on a case that has implications not just for Mayor Veliaj, but for the integrity of the Albanian legal and political systems.
The updated document delves into the troubling aspects of the political machinations that have unfolded over the past several months, suggesting that the legal proceedings against Veliaj do not represent a standard criminal prosecution. Since February, Veliaj has been detained, despite assessments indicating that he poses no risk of fleeing or obstructing justice, nor does he represent any danger of reoffending. Alarmingly, while Veliaj remains in custody, seventeen other defendants tied to the same allegations have been granted bail under considerably lenient conditions. This discrepancy paints a disheartening picture of inequity in how the Albanian authorities handle cases involving political figures.
Furthermore, the report notes that recent political events have amplified fears of politically motivated persecution aimed at removing Mayor Veliaj from his duly elected position, a move that contradicts the Albanian constitution. In September, the Tirana City Council voted to dismiss Veliaj, citing his indefinite detention, and subsequently, the President of the Republic announced new elections to find a replacement. This sequence of actions has led to apprehensions that the grounds for Veliaj's detention may have been a pretext for an unconstitutional power grab by Albanian authorities, thereby undermining citizens' right to self-government in Tirana.
While Albania's Constitutional Court has currently suspended these actions pending a decision on Veliaj's appeal against the City Council's decision, the updated report provides a deeper analysis of the implications surrounding this constitutional crisis. It argues that the case surrounding Mayor Veliaj serves as a stark example of Albania's failing commitment to due process. The recent political maneuvers intended to unseat him not only flout the presumption of innocence that Veliaj is entitled to but also strip him of both personal freedom and office, all prior to the commencement of his trial.
The full text of the updated report concerning the Veliaj case is available for review. For inquiries, interested parties can reach out to Shannon O'Reilly at [email protected]. The team behind Kasowitz includes partners Daniel J. Fetterman and Brian S. Choi in New York, Chief Counsel Clarine Nardi Riddle, and Special Counsel David Miller in Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, the Mishcon de Reya team consists of partners James Libson and Ben Brandon, along with senior associate Celia Marr and associates Grace Houghton and Elizabeth Fitton. Their collective insights offer a critical perspective on a case that has implications not just for Mayor Veliaj, but for the integrity of the Albanian legal and political systems.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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