The hearing at the Special Court for Ajola Xoxa has been postponed to allow her to participate in the hearing. The next hearing will be held on July 21, at 10:00. The Special Court rejected Ajola Xoxa's request for a stay of proceedings against her, due to her maternity leave.
Xoxa is being tried in a trial with her husband, Erion Veliaj, mayor of Tirana, as well as several other defendants.
In the letter addressed to the panel led by Elsa Ulliri, the defendant Xoxa emphasized:
"I, the defendant Ajola Xoxa, due to a health condition that developed after giving birth, am unable to physically participate in court hearings."
"In my health condition before June 29, 2026 and my current condition after giving birth by surgery (cesarean section), I cannot communicate freely and privately with my chosen defense attorneys, therefore effective defense cannot be guaranteed by them in the trial of the case on the merits," Xoxa emphasizes.
For these reasons, Erion Veliaj's wife asked the court to suspend the trial.
"In this factual situation, when the objective impossibility of participating and providing effective defense is proven, I request that you postpone the court session, suspending the judicial review of the case, for the period predetermined by law."
Special Prosecutor Altimn Dumani opposed the request of defendant Xoxa, arguing that the law does not provide for the suspension of the process due to maternity leave.
The court, after retiring to the consultation room, decided to dismiss Ajola Xoxa in her request, after emphasizing that since the beginning of the process the defendant has not participated in any court session, but has been defended by lawyers. But because she requested a postponement of the session, she was given two weeks, until July 21, to appear in the session.
The Xoxa-Veliaj couple are accused of a complex corruption and money laundering scheme and have been facing the Special Court for months.
Meanwhile, for the head of the Municipality of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, it was decided to suspend the detention terms.
