Veliaj in the language trap/ What is at risk from threats to prosecutors

Në një proces ku perceptimi është po aq i rëndësishëm sa edhe faktet, Veliaj ka zgjedhur të sillet si një i burgosur ordiner

2025-02-24 07:21:00, Politikë CNA

Veliaj in the language trap/ What is at risk from threats to prosecutors

Erion Veliaj, Altin Dumani and Olsi Dado

"My "colleague" Ols Angoni has no idea who he's messing with, even though he calls himself the Bruce Willis the beast and shows his muscles to those BKH soldiers," this phrase included in Erion Veliaj's latest status from the cell, can be read by the prosecution as a direct threat from the mayor of Tirana, who is becoming increasingly harsh towards prosecutor Ols Dado and judge Erjon Bani.

In fact, this is just one of dozens of insulting and denigrating epithets directed at justice officials since Erjon Veliaj was imprisoned and began a campaign of verbal revenge against prosecutors and judges.

Veliaj threatens judges and prosecutors from prison
February 23, 12:28

Since February 10, when he was arrested in his office at the Tirana Municipality by a decision signed by Judge Erjon Bani and at the request of prosecutors Ols Dado and Altin Dumani, Veliaj has chosen a harsh reaction strategy.

The language goes beyond institutional communication, despite the fact that he still officially holds the position of Mayor of Tirana. And yet, while trying to portray himself as the victim of a political conspiracy, he simultaneously accuses and insults the prosecution and the judiciary with epithets ranging from “reptile” to “butcher of justice.”

Frontal attacks on the prosecutor and the judge

In his statuses, Veliaj has used an entire arsenal of epithets.

Prosecutor Ols Dado has been described as a “failed musician,” a “mediocre violinist,” a “monster” “whose friends made him a prosecutor,” and a “lunatic who has no idea what justice is.” Meanwhile, Judge Erjon Bani has been called the “slaughterhouse of justice,” the “butcher of the law,” a “blind tool of old politics,” and a “shameful servant of the system.”

Erion Veliaj as members of organized crime
February 23, 2:30 PM

In another message he writes:

" How can you talk about justice when you have in front of you a reptile who doesn't even know how to play the violin, let alone administer justice?!" and further calls the prosecutor "a disgusting scoundrel who follows orders with his eyes closed."

Most recently, Veliaj has directly targeted Ols Dado, accusing him of being a man who took the position with "friends" and who is using his power to make an "illegal veto over 20 years of my life - 10 years as an activist and 10 years as a public servant."

Veliaj has repeatedly reinforced the idea that he is in prison because of a fabricated political scheme.

"They wrote this indictment with a hand that trembles with fear of the truth. What have they not invented! They have made me a mafia member, a trafficker, a thief and a corrupt person, just to get me out of this battle," he wrote in another post.

Threats, as a risk to the investigation for anyone who sees nothing wrong with a few more words from the mayor of Tirana, it must be said that the decision that left him in prison takes into account precisely this type of behavior of Veliaj and his wife, including; threatening messages towards BKH agents and attempts to contact witnesses and influence their statements.

These were the main factors that led to their being sentenced to "indefinite imprisonment", which included, among other things, their acquaintances in the justice system, the financial power they had, and Veliaj's efforts to influence his subordinates in the Tirana municipality administration.

"A large portion of the declarants claimed that they were contacted by the citizen Ajola Xoxa and were even called by her, giving them guidance on how to behave before the proceeding body," the investigative file states.

KLP/ The institution that behaves as part of Erion Veliaj's criminal "organization"
February 23, 16:00

The prosecution goes even further, highlighting the threatening messages that Veliaj sent to BKH investigators, trying to stop his wife from being called to testify.

"In the circumstances where the citizen under investigation, Erion Veliaj, is proven to have sent written messages to the addresses of investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation, messages that seem to have the aim of intimidating these officials while performing their duties, it can easily be imagined how this citizen could then behave with potential witnesses in this process, that is, with the evidence that is required to be obtained by the proceeding body," the file states.

How could Veliaj's behavior affect the Appeals Court's decision?

Given the language used from the detention cell and the intensity of Mayor Erjon Veliaj's public attacks, it is likely that he is undermining himself in the appeal process . Instead of focusing on a strong legal defense, he has chosen a strategy of confrontation and threats, which could further weaken his position in the face of the black platoons.

Veliaj finally finds it/ Saliu put me in jail
February 23, 11:45

Let's assume for a moment that the Appeal of the Criminal Court of Kosovo eases Erjon Veliaj's arrest measure. But wouldn't suspicions arise that a major reason for his release from prison would be precisely this: public attacks on justice and attempts to exert pressure and intimidate investigators and judges?

In a trial where perception is as important as evidence, Veliaj is creating an atmosphere where any decision in his favor would appear to be the result of political pressure, rather than the facts. If his goal is to get out of prison, then he may have chosen the wrong path to achieve this. /Lapsi.al