Trial against "Veliaj"/ Is Elman Abule's request for the "removal" of "Ora News" from the courtroom related to another file?

2026-03-09 13:45:00, Aktualitet CNA

Trial against "Veliaj"/ Is Elman Abule's request for the

The trial against the arrested mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, his wife Ajola Xoxa, and 28 other defendants began today at the Special Court, where the Veliaj-Xoxa couple are charged with 13 criminal charges such as: corruption, abuse of office, money laundering, etc.

But what attracted attention in today's session was the fact that the only one of the 30 defendants, individuals and companies, involved in the trial against Erjon Veliaj who did not accept cameras during the first trial session on the merits of the file at the GJKKO, even though the trial was open, was the controversial businessman linked to corruption with the arrested mayor of Tirana, Elman Abule.

"I don't want to be filmed," the defendant declared in front of the black squads, according to today's report by "Ora News" journalist Edison Vatnikaj.

But was this a request stemming from the businessman's need to remain discreet throughout the entire process? Or was it out of fear that new evidence and facts would emerge during the hearing that he was not prepared to defend himself against?

And while Abule did not provide any argument as to why "Ora News" should not be in the courtroom, perhaps we should return to the investigations that have been conducted against the businessman in question in recent months.

Elman Abule is a well-known character to the public, widely accused of being involved in the investigative file of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, traveling with the latter to Japan, accused of seizing tens of millions of euros coming from EU countries.

Elman Abule is a businessman with Belgian citizenship, from whom 50 million euros were seized. According to the prosecution, sufficient evidence was obtained from the investigation that created reasonable suspicion that Elman Abule, in collaboration with other citizens, committed the criminal offense of "Laundering the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity" committed in collaboration.

Abule was convicted in Belgium, where he also served his sentence within the framework of criminal groups. Also, from the evidence administered by the investigation, there is reasonable suspicion that Abule has also committed the criminal offense of "Smuggling of Licensed Goods", provided for by Article 173 of the Criminal Code.

As part of his illegal activity, Elman Abule has established a series of commercial companies, with the aim of masking the conduct of illegal activities on his part, with activities considered legal.

Through the creation of a series of companies, some of them under the administration of other citizens, they have created a genuine scheme for laundering the proceeds of crime.

There has been an investigation at SPAK. Elman Abule, who is known to be a close friend of the arrested mayor of Tirana, is included in the "Veliaj" file.

But a few weeks ago, "CNA" would report that SPAK has another file on Elman Abule.

"It's another matter, not that of the mayor of Tirana, this investigation is another matter," explained "CNA" in its news. (READ HERE )

And while the aim is to avoid cameras in court hearings, the question that remains about the truth of businessman Elman Abule's activities: do we have a file overlapping that of Veliaj where Elman Abule is involved?/ Ora News