One Year of Injustice: Mayor Erion Veliaj's Political Persecution in Albania
On February 11, 2026, a significant milestone has been reached as it marks one year since the unlawful detention of Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, who has faced severe violations of his rights and apparent political persecution. The Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) of Albania detained Veliaj despite a glaring lack of evidence suggesting he would flee, obstruct justice, or commit further crimes. This case has increasingly become a stark example of how emerging democracies like Albania can trample individual rights, particularly the right to a fair trial, through improper political motivations.
From February to July of last year, Mayor Veliaj found himself in custody without formal charges being filed against him concerning any genuine criminal acts. Subsequently, in September, the Tirana City Council used his detention as a basis to remove him from office, evidently aimed at disenfranchising voters who had elected him to three terms.
Just last month, Veliaj, who chose to represent himself against the SPAK's allegations, was denied access to over 60,000 pages of evidence that would enable him to prepare and assemble an adequate defense. The prosecutors from SPAK maintain that his incarceration was justified, citing his reliance on the defense of an American attorney as unrealistic for a self-representation scenario. This situation starkly highlights a failure in due process; punishing a defendant for exercising their right to a fair defense contravenes fundamental legal principles.
Daniel J. Fetterman, a partner at Kasowitz and one of Veliaj's international legal representatives, remarked, "From the first day, this case has been characterized by political persecution, hallmarked by egregious violations of due process. It is disheartening that this injustice has persisted for an entire year. The treatment of Mayor Veliaj exhibits all the signs of a monstrous political trial, falling far below accepted American and European standards of fairness, due process, and justice."
Reports indicate that the handling of Mayor Veliaj's case has not gone unnoticed domestically or internationally. In November of last year, the Constitutional Court rejected the city council's attempt to remove him, affirming his mandate and securing his position as mayor until 2027. Albanian media have criticized SPAK's actions towards Veliaj, labeling them criminal, reflecting a "repressive mentality" akin to a "new Chinese revolution" dependent on state-sponsored propaganda that seeks to justify civil rights violations. International media outlets, including EU Reporter, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the slow degradation of Albania's justice system, which evidently displays signs of political motivation and grossly fails to meet European standards.
Moreover, in December, Albania's ombudsman reported considerable inadequacies concerning the security measures surrounding Veliaj's healthcare in custody, noting that they infringed upon his privacy.
It is noteworthy that the mayor's plight has garnered support from the international community, with 76 mayors and representatives from the "Balkan Cities Network B40"—coming from various political backgrounds—issuing a joint letter condemning Veliaj's detention. They aligned their views with findings from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, stating that imprisoning sitting mayors poses a serious risk to democratic governance, effectively robbing citizens of their right to vote by sidelining their elected officials without due process.
The continued incarceration of Mayor Veliaj must come to an end. Further detainment and denial of his fundamental procedural rights, including the opportunity to review evidence against him, betrays Albania's democratic promises, raises serious doubts about its reform progress, and jeopardizes its EU accession goals.
Global leaders, democratic organizations, and the media should persistently shine a light on this injustice and demand the immediate release of Erion Veliaj from custody.
From February to July of last year, Mayor Veliaj found himself in custody without formal charges being filed against him concerning any genuine criminal acts. Subsequently, in September, the Tirana City Council used his detention as a basis to remove him from office, evidently aimed at disenfranchising voters who had elected him to three terms.
Just last month, Veliaj, who chose to represent himself against the SPAK's allegations, was denied access to over 60,000 pages of evidence that would enable him to prepare and assemble an adequate defense. The prosecutors from SPAK maintain that his incarceration was justified, citing his reliance on the defense of an American attorney as unrealistic for a self-representation scenario. This situation starkly highlights a failure in due process; punishing a defendant for exercising their right to a fair defense contravenes fundamental legal principles.
Daniel J. Fetterman, a partner at Kasowitz and one of Veliaj's international legal representatives, remarked, "From the first day, this case has been characterized by political persecution, hallmarked by egregious violations of due process. It is disheartening that this injustice has persisted for an entire year. The treatment of Mayor Veliaj exhibits all the signs of a monstrous political trial, falling far below accepted American and European standards of fairness, due process, and justice."
Reports indicate that the handling of Mayor Veliaj's case has not gone unnoticed domestically or internationally. In November of last year, the Constitutional Court rejected the city council's attempt to remove him, affirming his mandate and securing his position as mayor until 2027. Albanian media have criticized SPAK's actions towards Veliaj, labeling them criminal, reflecting a "repressive mentality" akin to a "new Chinese revolution" dependent on state-sponsored propaganda that seeks to justify civil rights violations. International media outlets, including EU Reporter, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the slow degradation of Albania's justice system, which evidently displays signs of political motivation and grossly fails to meet European standards.
Moreover, in December, Albania's ombudsman reported considerable inadequacies concerning the security measures surrounding Veliaj's healthcare in custody, noting that they infringed upon his privacy.
It is noteworthy that the mayor's plight has garnered support from the international community, with 76 mayors and representatives from the "Balkan Cities Network B40"—coming from various political backgrounds—issuing a joint letter condemning Veliaj's detention. They aligned their views with findings from the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, stating that imprisoning sitting mayors poses a serious risk to democratic governance, effectively robbing citizens of their right to vote by sidelining their elected officials without due process.
The continued incarceration of Mayor Veliaj must come to an end. Further detainment and denial of his fundamental procedural rights, including the opportunity to review evidence against him, betrays Albania's democratic promises, raises serious doubts about its reform progress, and jeopardizes its EU accession goals.
Global leaders, democratic organizations, and the media should persistently shine a light on this injustice and demand the immediate release of Erion Veliaj from custody.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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