The Special Court rejected the request of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj for live broadcast of court hearings, and at the same time, his removal from the glass cage, arguing that being there does not violate any procedural rights of the local elected official.

The mayor of Tirana was not present at the trial, where he is being tried on 13 serious criminal charges, arguing that the court did not apply the law to remove him from the glass cage and give him the opportunity to participate as a free man in the courtroom. In the letter sent to the court, he claimed that he wanted to be present at the trial because the other 24 files of the file and digital evidence had not been made available.

Following the hearing, Veliaj's lawyer, Plarent Ndreca, reiterated the request for live broadcast of the court hearings.

"I request permission for cameras to record this process live. The fact that an administrative employee comes into the courtroom and asks who agrees and who doesn't, this is interference in the court's affairs. The decision-making is made by the judicial body. Not allowing cameras into the courtroom is a direct blow to the constitutional right of the media to broadcast live," he said.

He also requested that conditions be created for Erion Veliaj to participate in the trial, outside the cage, alongside his lawyer.

"His absence directly affects the process," said Ndreca. The legal defender also requested that the session be held once every two weeks, as holding the process every week does not guarantee effective protection, because the deadline is too tight.

The lawyer's claims were rejected by SPAK. Prosecutor Altin Dumani said that the court session is public and no legal provision provides for its live broadcast. Meanwhile, prosecutor Olsi Dado's prosecution requested the dismissal of the request to stay outside the glass cage.

During the session, it was also reported that the member of the judicial body Besmir Stroka had submitted his resignation, but it was rejected by the vice president. Meanwhile, Veliaj's lawyer said that the defense has objections to judge Flora Hajredinaj. We will submit a request, according to the law, for this position.

When lawyer Ajola Xoxes requested more time to present the requests, the court postponed the hearing to June 23.

Erion Veliaj and his wife are accused of corruption and a complex money laundering scheme.