Kasowitz LLP Reveals Significant Procedural Issues in Case of Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana

Recent Legal Developments Surrounding Erion Veliaj

On March 11, 2026, Kasowitz LLP released a comprehensive report detailing fundamental procedural deficiencies regarding the ongoing detention and prosecution of Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, Albania. This latest report serves as an update to previously published documents from June 24, 2025, and October 28, 2025, and addresses critical issues that have arisen in Veliaj's case.

Key Issues Addressed

The updated report shines a light on two significant matters pertaining to Mayor Veliaj. First, it critiques the actions of the Albanian Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure (SPAK), which have effectively undermined Veliaj's right to a fair trial. SpaK has consistently blocked Veliaj from accessing nearly 60,000 pages of evidence materials essential for his preparation for trial. Additionally, they have placed severe limitations on how and when Veliaj's state-appointed lawyer can communicate with him regarding evidence and defense strategies.

Just yesterday, the first-instance court, comprised of three judges, rejected SPAK's methods, ordering the agency to provide evidence to Mayor Veliaj for his review and delaying the trial by two weeks. While this ruling is a positive step, it remains uncertain whether Mayor Veliaj can realistically sift through and process such a substantial amount of evidence in this limited timeframe.

The second issue involves SPAK's use of spurious arguments to justify the extended pre-trial detention of Mayor Veliaj. Recently, the agency cited Veliaj's lobbying activities as a basis for prolonging his detention. However, lobbying does not constitute valid grounds for arresting a defendant. SPAK's invocation of this argument appears to be an attempt to punish Veliaj for exercising his democratic right to petition, which has effectively revealed numerous violations of fair trial rights in his case.

Daniel Fetterman, a partner at Kasowitz LLP and the international counsel for Mayor Veliaj, expressed deep concern over SPAK's reliance on lawful advocacy and lobbying to justify the ongoing unlawful detention of Veliaj. He stated, "Petitioning governments and publicly speaking about one's case is a fundamental democratic right and should not be the basis for imprisonment or punishment. After over a year of temporary detention and other serious procedural violations in Mayor Veliaj's case, the U.S. government, which helped establish SPAK and advised the agency, must investigate what is happening and why. This is precisely what we are requesting in letters to the State Department and the U.S. Department of Justice.”

Legal Team Representation

The legal team representing Mayor Veliaj at Kasowitz includes partners Daniel J. Fetterman and Brian S. Choi based in New York, along with lead counsel Clarine Nardi Riddle and special legal advisor David Miller from Washington, D.C.

The full report can be accessed here.

In conclusion, the ongoing legal situation surrounding Erion Veliaj highlights substantial concerns about the transparency and integrity of the legal proceedings against him. The implications of this case extend beyond the immediate circumstances, raising important questions about due process and the rights of public officials under scrutiny in Albania. As such discussions continue, it will be crucial for stakeholders to monitor these developments closely.