GJKKO suspends detention terms for Veliaj/ Positions for the mayor are tightened

2026-03-24 16:48:00, Aktualitet CNA

The second hearing on the merits against the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has been postponed again by the GJKKO, this time due to the absence of the lawyer of one of the defendants in the process.

At the same time, the court has made an important procedural decision, suspending the detention terms for Veliaj and the other defendants who are under “house arrest”. This decision means that the period of stay in these security measures will not be counted as temporary, extending in practice the actual time of isolation.

The decision comes at a time when Veliaj has repeatedly delayed the process through various procedural forms, which has prevented the normal continuation of the substantive examination of the case.

By suspending the deadlines, the court aims to avoid further delay in the process and guarantee its development without procedural obstacles, while this decision is expected to have a direct impact on the duration of the defendants' stay in security measures.

Thus, due to the unjustified delays in the hearings, Veliaj has lost the right to benefit from pre-trial detention, where according to the law 1 year in prison was calculated as 1.5 years. With the new decision issued by the GJKKO, 1 year in prison will be calculated as exactly 1 year, without any additional benefit.

This rule affects both Erion Veliaj and Ermal Abule, who is under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the postponement of the hearing to April 1 this Tuesday came after defendant Meriman Palushi appeared without legal representation. Meanwhile, the court accepted Veliaj's request to appoint former MP Plarent Ndreca as his defense attorney, who was legitimized despite being himself under investigation by SPAK for violations of equality in tenders.

Veliaj has been in custody since February 10, 2025, and faces 13 charges for 5 serious criminal offenses, including passive corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office. /CNA