#USA #New York #Erion Veliaj #Kasowitz LLP #Tirana

Updated Report on Political Persecution of Erion Veliaj

On October 28, 2025, the esteemed law firms Kasowitz LLP from New York and Mishcon de Reya LLP from London revealed a significant and updated report concerning the political persecution faced by Erion Veliaj, the current Mayor of Tirana. Titled "Report Regarding the Political Persecution of Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana," this document serves as an enhancement to their previous findings published on June 24, 2025, concerning the unjust detention of Veliaj by Albania's anti-corruption agency, SPAK.

The updated report sheds light on the apparent political motivations underpinning the ongoing legal actions directed at Veliaj. It systematically outlines various pivotal events that have occurred in the past eight months, which all reinforce the assertion that the indictment against Veliaj by SPAK diverges substantially from normal legal procedures. As highlighted in the report, Veliaj has been in custody since February without any credible threats of flight or tampering with evidence related to his case, nor any risk of reoffending concerning the alleged charges.

Notably, the report points out glaring discrepancies in the treatment of Veliaj compared to other defendants. While 17 co-defendants were released after meeting minimal bail requirements, Veliaj has been denied the same opportunity, reflecting a stark inconsistency in the handling of his case by the Albanian authorities.

Moreover, recent political events have exacerbated fears that the case against Veliaj is not merely a legal matter but a politically motivated attempt to remove him from the legitimately held office, an act that directly contradicts the Albanian Constitution. In September, the City Council of Tirana cited Veliaj's imprisonment as grounds for his dismissal. Following this, an announcement from the Republic's President called for new elections to replace him, engendering suspicion that Veliaj's undeserved detention was exploited as a pretext by the Albanian government to undermine constitutional order and strip the citizens of Tirana of their right to local governance.

As the Albanian Constitutional Court temporarily suspended all actions against Veliaj while it considers his appeal to the City Council's dismissal decision, the updated report contemplates the wider implications of this constitutional crisis. The authors of the report emphasize that Veliaj's case starkly illustrates the questionable respect for the right to a fair trial within Albania. The report critiques the political maneuvers designed to oust the Mayor, stating that they violate the presumption of innocence that Veliaj is entitled to, depriving him of both his freedom and his position before any trial has commenced.

The comprehensive analysis presented in the updated report underscores both the urgency and significance of the ongoing situation surrounding Erion Veliaj. For those interested in delving deeper into the details of this report, the full document is available for review.

For any inquiries, please contact Shannon O'Reilly at soreilly@kasowitz.

The professional team at Kasowitz LLP includes partners Daniel J. Fetterman and Brian S. Choi based in New York, alongside Senior Counsel Clarine Nardi Riddle and Special Counsel David Miller in Washington, D.C. The Mishcon de Reya team comprises partners James Libson and Ben Brandon, managing partner Celia Marr, with associates Grace Houghton and Elizabeth Fitton contributing to this vital work.