Erion Veliaj lost his confrontation in the Administrative Court with the prosecutor of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, Ols Dado, who investigated and filed 13 criminal charges against the mayor.
Judge Hazbi Balliu decided to dismiss Veliaj's lawsuit against Ols Dado, arguing that he has an indirect and not a direct interest in this matter and, therefore, is not legitimate. Meanwhile, for the Municipality of Tirana, according to the court, there is no interest in this process.
The Mayor of Tirana, who is being tried in the Special Court for corruption, money laundering and concealment of assets, demanded the repeal of the presidential decree and the dismissal of Dado, claiming that he had been appointed prosecutor in violation of the law, as he did not meet the criteria.
Veliaj's lawyer, Plarent Ndreca, stated that, given the way the process unfolded, the decision was expected. He said that the decision will be appealed, while reiterating the claim that Ols Dado was appointed prosecutor in violation of the law.
The court also rejected the requests of the "National Association of Media and Justice" and former prosecutor Tom Dedaj to become part of the process as main interveners.
Dedaj claimed that he was unfairly dismissed by former Chief Prosecutor Ina Rama, with the aim of appointing Ols Dado in his place.
Erion Veliaj has claimed throughout the process that Ols Dado is illegally keeping him in prison, as according to him, the prosecutor himself does not enjoy proper legal status.
SPAK investigated Erion Veliaj and placed him under arrest on February 10, 2025. Serious charges have been filed against him, his wife Ajola Xoxa, and several other defendants, for which the trial is underway in the Special Court.
So far, Veliaj, despite legal efforts, has not been able to change the security measure.
