Political Persecution and Denial of Justice: The Case of Erion Veliaj in Albania

One Year of Injustice: The Case of Erion Veliaj

On February 11, 2026, we mark the grim anniversary of Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, whose arrest has become a significant symbol of political oppression in Albania. Today marks one year since Veliaj was taken into custody by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), an incident that has raised alarms about the erosion of fair trial rights in young democracies.

Veliaj’s arrest was touted as an action against corruption; however, it has increasingly been viewed as a politically motivated attack. Over the past year, there has been a glaring absence of credible evidence linking him to any criminal wrongdoing, yet he remains detained without having faced formal charges. This situation highlights troubling trends where judicial powers may be used as a weapon against political figures.

From February to July 2025, Veliaj was held in custody without any accusations of actual crimes that would justify his imprisonment. Despite a lack of evidence suggesting he posed a flight risk or would tamper with the judicial process, the City Council leveraged his detention to initiate impeachment proceedings against him. This maneuver served to undermine the electoral rights of the citizens of Tirana who had elected him to serve three terms.

In September, a shocking development occurred when a municipal attempt to dismiss Veliaj from his position was blocked by the Constitutional Court, reaffirming his mandate until 2027. This ruling stands in stark contrast to the actions of the City Council, which appeared to agenda-driven rather than rooted in legal merits.

Adding to the injustice, Veliaj’s right to prepare a robust defense was severely hampered when he was denied access to over 60,000 pages of evidence pertinent to his case. This obstruction was characterized by legal representatives as a clear violation of his rights, undermining any claim that he was receiving a fair trial. Ironically, his recourse to American legal representation further provoked prosecutors, who argued that this was justification for his ongoing detention, effectively punishing him for seeking proper legal counsel.

Daniel J. Fetterman, a partner at Kasowitz, articulated the gravity of this situation, labeling it as a manifestation of political persecution veiled under judicial processes. He remarked on how Veliaj's case represents a troubling departure from standards of justice typically upheld in both the United States and Europe, highlighting that it encapsulates the precarious balancing act faced by emerging democracies.

The international community has taken note. A coalition of 76 mayoral representatives from the Balkan Cities Network B40 issued a joint statement condemning Veliaj’s detention. They referenced a 2025 report by the Venice Commission, emphasizing that the arbitrary arrest of elected officials poses serious threats to democratic governance, effectively disenfranchising citizens who chose these representatives.

In December, the Albanian Commissioner for Human Rights published an alarming report that denounced the unjust security protocols governing Veliaj’s detention, asserting that they violated his right to privacy. Such systemic injustices illustrate a troubling pattern of governance in Albania, drawing parallels to a repressive mentality reminiscent of historical precedents in authoritarian regimes.

Amidst domestic and international concerns, Veliaj’s treatment reflects a broader issue of public trust in the judiciary and governance in Albania, mounting a challenge to the credibility of the nation’s reform initiatives and its aspirations for European Union accession. As more global leaders, civil rights organizations, and the media continue to scrutinize these developments, the call for the immediate release of Erion Veliaj grows louder. Failure to address this injustice not only risks the integrity of Albanian democracy but also threatens to silence the people's voice in choosing their leaders.

As the anniversary of Veliaj’s arrest passes, it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions and the relentless need for vigilance against political persecution in all its forms.