Rama and Veliaj's language towards the prosecutor/How SPAK is being attacked from all sides

2025-02-27 11:16:00, Politikë CNA

Rama and Veliaj's language towards the prosecutor/How SPAK is being

The German media outlet "Der Standard" has dedicated an article to the attacks of Prime Minister Edi Rama, Mayor Erion Veliaj and the opposition against SPAK.

Since the arrest of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on February 10 on serious corruption charges, the Special Prosecution Office for Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) and the responsible special court have been under constant attack from representatives of the ruling Socialist Party and above all from Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Veliaj is a close confidant of Rama. In recent years, he has increasingly taken control of all institutions in Albania using authoritarian methods. Now he has even prevented the Tirana City Council from initiating procedures to dismiss Veliaj and has instead made himself de facto mayor.

At the same time, members of the Socialist Party are being sent on a campaign against SPAK and the Special Court. They are clearly demanding that the judiciary stop the investigation against Veliaj. According to Albanian media, Socialist Party supporters have even threatened and physically attacked prosecutors. In a statement, SPAK and the Special Court criticized the police and the Republic Guard for failing to protect the judiciary from the ruling party’s successors.

Even the High Council of Justice of Albania criticized that “people in positions of power” – apparently referring to Rama himself – “are damaging the image and dignity of judges in the special courts for corruption and organized crime.” Any attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary through pressure or coercion of any kind represents a direct threat to independence, democracy and the rule of law.

Veliaj also attacked the independent judiciary and said on Facebook that the special prosecutor in charge was a "madman"; the accusations against him were "idiotic."

Veliaj is accused of receiving money for distributing public contracts to companies close to him. He is also suspected of money laundering. Security measures have also been taken against his wife Ajola Xoxa. It is said that the money received was transferred to accounts controlled by them or their relatives.

Rama and his ruling Socialist Party now want to intimidate the judiciary and create such pressure that investigations against key party figures – like Veliaj – will cease. But this also means that Rama and his party want to bypass the separation of powers to take full control over all state institutions. Rama and his party are actively undermining democracy and the rule of law in Albania.

The controversial issue of justice reform

In recent years, Rama has always behaved as if he were the guarantor of a justice reform that had resulted in the dismissal of many corrupt judges and prosecutors. In recent years, SPAK has also shown that it can be quite powerful. Several corruption cases involving prominent politicians, including ministers, have been discovered. The Veliaj case also shows the courage of prosecutors.

However, there is currently no single political force in Albania that would advocate for an independent judiciary and the fight against corruption – in other words, for a fair state for all citizens. Even opposition parties are attacking SPAK. In fact, former Democratic Party Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who is also under investigation, has promised to disband SPAK if he comes to power. Berisha described SPAK’s leader, Altin Dumani, as the head of a “criminal organization.”

The Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime in Albania and its law enforcement agency SPAK were established in 2016 as part of the rapprochement with the EU and under pressure from the US. / CNA