By Lorenc Vangjeli

For some time now, the ghost of Fatos Nano has been visiting Erion Veliaj in his cell after midnight. Telling him over and over again the dramatic story of his life. He tells him about the moment when he was sent in handcuffs to the Tirana prison, the moment when he was hanged as an ordinary prisoner in the Tepelena Courthouse, and his triumphant return to Tirana as prime minister. Fatos Nano was then the only prisoner in the world who made prison a pre-trial detention: he was convicted without guilt and committed "crimes" without punishment, later in freedom. Veliaj expects the same thing to happen to him. He was pre-convicted by a popular court that found him guilty immediately after his arrest, he continues to suffer an unjust, disproportionate and illegal detention in length and has suffered strong discrimination in his rights as an ordinary citizen in the daily life of a pre-trial detainee awaiting trial.
The parallels between Veliaj's fate and that of the former historic leader of the Socialists end here. Unless their mutual animosities are also called such:
The first blamed Berisha as the author of his arrest and conviction,

The second has begun to point the finger at Edi Rama as the architect of the conspiracy against him.
The first was right and this is something that has already been verified. The second claims it and has thrown his word as a challenge against the Prime Minister's silence so far.

Both, at different times, but for the same reasons, have declared total war on the causes of their misfortunes. In this vein, Veliaj recently crossed the Rubicon. With his request to establish a parliamentary investigative commission to verify the role of Prime Minister Rama in the transfer from Durrës to Fier, the arbitrary treatment in prison and the violation of his rights as a detainee. Of course, Veliaj is clear that this commission will never be established, because he is not legitimized as a subject for a request of his. On the contrary, this is a very calculated request. It is one stone that kills three birds with one stone.

Veliaj aims to assume the status of victim and political victim by Rama in the eyes of public opinion. This would help create a completely different narrative at a time when the investigation could likely add to the charges against him. And put him in the eye of a new criminal cyclone that starts from the notorious waste collection area of ​​Tirana. The Sharra landfill and the missing incinerator have become a nightmare that disturbs the sleep of many powerful individuals in politics, business, and even the media in Tirana. By counterattacking, Veliaj confronts the possible charges against him and some close associates, presenting them as a result of the prime minister's direct influence on SPAK.

Veliaj also expects a quick decision from Strasbourg on his detention. Two previous cases, Gëllçi and Bejleri, are typical for understanding what will happen to him tomorrow. Without any discussion, Veliaj's detention will be called disproportionate, illegally prolonged and without considering the possibility of alternative measures. The victory in Strasbourg, which of course has nothing to do with the guilt and essence of the accusations, their denial or verification, will influence the opinion. He will be left with the idea that Veliaj is a political prisoner of his former brother, the prime minister. And a victim of a power conspiracy and guilty of his actions. Then all he can do is wait. To wait for the fate that once lifted him up and then plunged him into the abyss to call him back on appeal. Power brings everything closer in Albania. Its alchemy transforms guilt into virginity and sin into virtue.

These are the calculations Erion Veliaj makes when he is separated at dawn from the ghost of Fatos Nano, who advises him to rematch as a remedy for revenge. According to the former prime minister's account, Veliaj has two more years left in prison. He has already spent two more in prison. On the condition that history makes an exception and interprets the same political drama twice in a row.