The high number of mayors under indictment exposes the degradation of local government

2026-02-20 13:38:00, Aktualitet CNA

The high number of mayors under indictment exposes the degradation of local

On the morning of February 10, 2025, television screens were broadcasting 'live' the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, inspecting a kindergarten, while he was actually in his office with investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation, who communicated to him the measure of arrest with imprisonment on the charge of creating a corrupt scheme between his wife's companies and a group of businessmen close to him.

A year later, Veliaj is in prison and on trial, while continuing to hold the "de jure" position of mayor, after a failed attempt by the Council of Ministers to dismiss him, which was overturned by the Constitutional Court.

Veliaj was seen as a rising politician of the Socialist Party and its image in local government, before his image was tarnished by corruption allegations. Veliaj vehemently denies the charges.

However, he is just one of dozens of Socialist Party representatives in local government who are facing charges of criminal offenses of corruption, abuse of office, violation of equality in tenders, or forgery.

Since the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office and the Special Courts against Corruption and Organized Crime, 28 current or former mayors have been investigated, indicted, or convicted.

Among the mayors who have open accounts with the judiciary, 25 are representatives of the ruling Socialist Party and four represent opposition parties.

For civil society experts who monitor local governance, the high number of local elected officials who have been convicted, are on trial or are under investigation by SPAK indicates a high level of corruption or clientelism in local government in Albania.

Experts also emphasize that citizens are losing their trust in local government institutions.

Agron Haxhimali, director of the Albanian Institute of Municipalities, told BIRN that, “the high number of mayors under investigation may be linked to the combination of concentrated local power, the lack of effective control, but also the increased activity of the justice bodies.”

“This phenomenon usually stems from a mixture of institutional weaknesses, political pressures, and a clientelistic culture that favors personal interests over public ones, issues of personality, accountability, and integrity,” said Haxhimali.

Even for Rigels Xhemollari, director of the organization "Citizen Center", the phenomenon of corruption in local government is linked to the fact that both powers have the same political force.

"The municipalities and the government are on the same party throne, the Socialist Party, and as a result there are fewer control mechanisms for the municipalities from the central government. As a result, the mayors abuse more," said Xhemollari.

From the monitoring conducted by the "Citizen Center" organization for tenders in several municipalities, Xhemollari says that the same scheme of abuse as in the central government has been noticed.

"Mayors choose 2 or 3 operators with whom they cooperate and eliminate competition. There are also red-flag tenders where there is only one operator and he wins or the other operators are fictitious and withdraw, and as a result they have created this type of corruption or fraud scheme with tenders," he stressed.

The second factor that Xhemollari highlights is related to the functioning of Municipal Councils, which accept and approve without any real debate or concern for citizen needs, every project or investment that is decided by the municipal executive.

“Like parliament, these councils have become the president's notaries,” he says.

And the third factor, according to him, that makes mayors more targeted for abuse of office is related to construction permits, land expropriation or their transfer to third parties, where the greatest abuse occurs.

Impact on citizens

Local government is considered of particular importance to local communities because their work directly impacts the lives of citizens through public services or other functions such as city cleaning or public investments.

Unlike parliamentary elections, mayors are elected due to a closer connection with the residents and cities where they run.

However, the parade of mayors suspected or convicted of corruption, according to experts, is eroding the trust that should exist between citizens and local institutions.

“This type of practice of abuse of public office dismantles public trust in local government,” says Xhemollari, citing as an example the low voter turnout in the by-elections in Vlora in the fall.

"...by concluding corrupt tenders, services to citizens will be of lower quality, or they will be services or investments that do not serve the city, but private interests," he adds.

Haxhimali also acknowledges that citizens are the ones who suffer the consequences of corrupt officials; from mismanagement of funds, reduced efficiency of services, and delays in local development.

"But this is also a lesson for citizens to think carefully when choosing and to have more civic reaction to such phenomena," he suggests.

Haxhimali emphasizes that "investigations and convictions can temporarily damage trust in institutions, but they can also strengthen it if they show that justice is acting independently."

SP mayors

1 - Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana – Arrested by SPAK in February 2025 for the criminal offenses of corruption, money laundering and abuse of office. The case is pending.

2 -Benet Beci, mayor of Shkodra – Accused of favoring a private company in violation of the law while he was running the Albanian Electric Power Corporation, KESH. The case is pending.

3 - Majlinda Bufi, mayor of Roskovec – She was indicted in November 2025 for the pressure exerted on an opposition voter in the 2023 elections. SPAK is seeking her sentence of 2 years of probation.

4- Erion Isai, mayor of Kolonja – He has been indicted by the Special Prosecution for the criminal offense of violating equality in tenders.

5 - Eriselda Sefa, Mayor of Lushnja Municipality – Is under investigation by SPAK following a criminal complaint for violating legal procedure in the leasing of public property.

6- Kristian Shkreli , mayor of Vau i Dejës – Indicted by the Special Prosecution Office for the criminal offense of electoral corruption. The case was sent for trial in October 2025.

7- Rakip Suli, mayor of Kamza – He has been questioned more than once by SPAK for an investigation related to allegations of abuse of office.

8- Rexhë Byberi , Mayor of Tropoja Municipality – He is currently on trial for the criminal offense of abuse of office in relation to road opening procedures.

9- Kreshnik Hajdari , Mayor of Kuçova – Was investigated by the Special Prosecution for falsifying the decriminalization form. The case is in trial.

10- Qerim Ismailaj, mayor of Mallakastra – Found guilty in 2023 of falsifying the decriminalization form, but was sentenced to 40 hours of community service.

11- Tërmet Peçi, former mayor of Tepelena, currently MP – Appeared to testify at SPAK in November 2025 following a complaint filed by the Democratic Party.

12- Vangjush Dako, former mayor of Durrës Municipality – The Special Court found him guilty of abuse of office in two cases and sentenced him to 2 years and 8 months in prison.

13- Fatos Tushe, former mayor of Lushnja – He was convicted twice by the Special Court during the years 2022-2024 for the criminal offenses of abuse of office and concealment of assets.

14- Safet Gjici, former mayor of Kukës – After a sexual scandal directly after the 2023 elections, Gjici was arrested and sentenced to 2 years in prison for abuse of office.

15- Fran Tuci, former mayor of Fushë-Arrëz – He was sentenced to 1 year in prison in October 2023 for the criminal offense of abuse of office resulting in damage to a forest fund.

16- Lefter Alla, former mayor of Bulqiza – Was sentenced in December 2023 to 2 years in prison for the criminal offense of violating equality in tenders.

17- Jorgo Goro, former mayor of Himara: He was found guilty twice and sentenced to prison for abuses of coastal properties.

18- Luiza Mandi , former mayor of Libohova – Convicted in June 2024 for the criminal offense of abuse of office.

19- Edison Memolla, former mayor of Rrogozhina – Sentenced to 1 year in prison for the criminal offense of "active corruption in elections".

20- Gjolek Guci , former mayor of Memaliaj, along with his deputy and two other people are expected to be tried for the criminal offense of violating equality in tenders and public auctions.

21- Elvis Rroshi, former mayor of Kavajë - After losing his mandate in 2016 for violating the decriminalization law, Rroshi was sent for trial by SPAK in 2026 for tender abuses.

22– Arqile Bollano, former acting mayor of Himara Municipality – Under investigation by SPAK for abusive benefits from agricultural land areas

23- Leonidha Hristo, former mayor of Finiq – Was sent to trial by the Special Prosecution for the criminal offense of abuse of office with tender procedures.

24- Adem Lala, former mayor of Has, was among the first local officials convicted by the Special Court in 2021 for abuse of office during the privatization process of a public building.

25- Rajmonda Balilaj, former mayor of Patos – Convicted in January 2025 for the criminal offense of violating equality in tenders. Balilaj's sentence was converted to probation.

Opposition mayors

26- Fredi Beleri, elected mayor of Himara as an opposition candidate: He was arrested a few days before the 2023 local elections and sentenced to 2 years in prison for vote buying in a controversial process.

27- Bardh Spahia, former mayor of Shkodra Municipality – Accused of obstructing the execution of court decisions regarding the dismissal and appointment of the Water and Sewerage Administrator. The case is pending.

28- Eduart Kapri, former mayor of Pogradec – He was convicted by the court along with two of his subordinates for 'abuse of office', after they allowed illegal works to be carried out in a building belonging to a company founded by Kapri himself.

29- Fran Frrokaj , former mayor of Lezha Municipality – Was sentenced by the Special Court of Appeal to 2 years and 8 months in prison for property alienation in collaboration with other local officials./ Reporter.al