German Newspaper "Der Standard": Rama's confidant mayor arrested for corruption

2025-02-11 22:58:21 / POLITIKË ALFA PRESS

German Newspaper "Der Standard": Rama's confidant mayor arrested

“Tirana Mayor Arrested on Corruption Suspect.” This is the headline of the well-known German newspaper “Der Standard” that has paid attention to what is happening in Tirana. In an article by journalist Adelheid Wölfl, it is emphasized that “Prime Minister Edi Rama’s close confidant is said to have benefited from public funds in the Albanian capital through illegal activities.” Below is the full article.

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was arrested on Monday on suspicion of corruption and money laundering. He is a central figure in Edi Rama’s ruling Socialist Party in Albania and a long-time associate of the prime minister. Albania’s Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has been investigating Veliaj for some time. It alleges that he took bribes and initiated money laundering.

It is learned that on Tuesday, Veliaj's wife, Ajola Xoxa, was also placed under house arrest. Among other things, she is suspected of having made false declarations about her assets. Five businessmen are also being investigated. SPAK alleges that Veliaj and his wife developed a system to benefit from the public funds of the city of Tirana through illegal activities. The public prosecutor suspects that Veliaj approved the distribution of public funds and construction permits for several companies closely linked to him.

"These public funds then ended up in several non-profit organizations, limited liability companies and natural persons controlled "de jure" and "de facto" by his wife and people close to her, creating a network of suspicious and complex transactions," Spak explained. Now, another MP is being investigated for obstruction of justice.

Journalist a "hitman"

Veliaj has been mayor of Tirana since 2015. He has also been criticized for his behavior towards the media. He called a journalist a “hitman.” Recently, accusations of corruption have also increased. Several senior officials, all denounced by Veliaj, were involved in a scandal for the embezzlement of funds intended for the city’s waste incineration plants. The city paid a lot for the facilities.

Another scandal involved a company called 5D, which was founded by senior municipal officials and won several public tenders. Veliaj was therefore questioned by SPAK in April 2024. In Tirana they call him “Lali Eri” – in English: “Big Brother Eri”. / Der Standard