Supreme Court decision
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Albania ruled that Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, shall remain in detention at Durrës Prison (IEVP Durrës), Albania. The closed-door hearing was held on July 8, 2025, at 12:00, following the review of documents. Mayor Veliaj firmly rejects all allegations.
After nearly 5 months in pre-trial detention and almost a two-year investigation by the Special Prosecution Office of the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (“SPAK”), Mayor Veliaj is still being denied access to his international lawyers. His continued detention has caused significant distress for his family and friends.
Mr. Veliaj’s imprisonment without charge has previously been upheld by the courts without any meaningful assessment of whether his detention is necessary, proportionate, or reasonable, and without proper consideration of less restrictive alternatives.
Daniel Fetterman, a former U.S. federal prosecutor and partner at Kasowitz LLP, one of the international firms that recently co-published an investigative report on the unlawful imprisonment of Mayor Veliaj, stated:
“Mayor Veliaj’s continued detention—without charge and when clear, proportionate, and reasonable alternatives exist—is inconsistent with the principles of due process and incompatible with the rule of law.”
Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, said:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision is profoundly disappointing.
Today, I should have been one step closer to returning home to my family. Instead, I remain imprisoned and isolated at Durrës Prison, unable to meet with my international legal counsel or to access the information necessary to defend myself.
I will continue to pursue every legal avenue in order to serve Tirana again.”
Ben Brandon, Partner at Mishcon de Reya, added:
“The European Convention on Human Rights (“ECHR”) prohibits arbitrary detention and guarantees that any arrest must be necessary, proportionate, and reasonable. While we await the Supreme Court’s full decision, we are considering all possible legal remedies. We remain extremely concerned that Mayor Veliaj’s detention is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The full report on the unlawful detention of Mayor Veliaj can be found here -> https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4455213-1...
Kasowitz and Mishcon de Reya will continue to vigorously pursue all available international legal remedies on behalf of Mayor Veliaj.