# Albanian anti-corruption trials and Veliaj detention > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/albanian-officials-pretrial-detention-disputes > Updated: 2026-09-13T08:32:50.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 18. Albania’s anti-corruption drive continues to widen. SPAK has formally sent four Spanish nationals—Domingo Romillo Iriarte, Mihaela Munteanu Manole, Alvaro Romillo Castillo and Doris Pere—to trial for laundering roughly €1.62 million through three shell companies to purchase undervalued land in Dhërmi. Preventive asset seizures remain in place. Domestically, the legal battle over Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s detention has intensified. Following a Constitutional Court ruling, Veliaj revoked the delegated powers of Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani, leading to her resignation. This leadership shift has caused administrative uncertainty. While the Tirana Municipality has launched large-scale cleaning operations at the Babrrusë riverbank and Kamza Bridge, journalist Klodian Tomorri has warned of an institutional deadlock, noting that Veliaj continues to exercise mayoral competencies while in pre-trial detention. Critics argue the failure to delegate powers could obstruct essential functions like processing salaries or managing economic aid, potentially being used as leverage against judicial institutions. Prime Minister Edi Rama has criticized the city's administration, describing it as a failed “social, legal, political, and economic experiment” and suggesting the municipality has been “decapitated.” As the case reaches a critical stage, the Albanian High Court is scheduled to review Veliaj’s detention on September 15. Veliaj, who has been in pre-trial detention since February 2025 on corruption, money laundering, and abuse of office charges, has denied all allegations, claiming in a letter from prison that he is a victim of “political persecution.” Defense lawyer Ben Brandon has described the detention as “unnecessary and disproportionate,” while opposition leader Gazment Bardhi warned that Veliaj’s release would signal the end of justice reforms in the country. ## Claims - Anuela Ristani has officially left the Tirana Municipality after more than a decade of service. (disputed by 2 sources) - Anuela Ristani will continue to serve as a deputy mayor of Tirana despite the dismissal from the acting mayor role. (disputed) - The dismissal is based on Ristani's failure to comply with orders and a lack of coordination with the elected mayor. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The Constitutional Court has confirmed the legal continuity and constitutional protection of Veliaj's mandate. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The delegation of duties to Ristani was intended as a temporary organizational instrument to ensure administrative continuity. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Erion Veliaj is accused of corruption and money laundering (corroborated by 3 sources) - Erion Veliaj has been in pre-trial detention since February 2025 (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Albanian High Court will review the case on September 15 (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Constitutional Court requested a review of the detention measure (corroborated by 3 sources) - Sandro Gozi, an MEP from Renew Europe, questioned the necessity and proportionality of the detention (corroborated by 3 sources) - Plarent Ndreca stated the legal basis for detention has changed following the Constitutional Court decision (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Erion Veliaj: High Court to review Tirana Mayor's detention The Albanian High Court will review the pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, who faces corruption charges and claims political persecution. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tirana-mayor-erion-veliaj-faces-supreme-court-hearing-over-detention ### 2026-09-03: Tirana Municipality launches cleaning operations amid leadership debate Tirana Municipality has initiated widespread cleaning operations in key areas, even as political debates intensify over Mayor Erion Veliaj's continued exercise of authority while in pre-trial detention. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tirana-municipality-launches-cleaning-operations-amid-leadership-debate ### 2026-09-03: Erion Veliaj facing potential release from detention on September 15 Lawyer Alban Duraj predicts the release of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on September 15, citing new Supreme Court standards regarding pre-trial detention and the burden of proof. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erion-veliaj-facing-potential-release-from-detention-on-september-15 ### 2026-08-31: Tirana Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani resigns after power revocation Anuela Ristani has resigned as Deputy Mayor of Tirana after Erion Veliaj revoked her delegated powers. The move creates administrative uncertainty as Veliaj manages city affairs from pre-trial detention. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tirana-municipality-anuela-ristani-departs-following-dismissal-by-erion-veliaj ### 2026-08-28: Erion Veliaj dismisses Anuela Ristani as acting mayor of Tirana Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has dismissed acting mayor Anuela Ristani, citing failure to follow orders and lack of coordination following Constitutional Court rulings confirming Veliaj's mandate. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erion-veliaj-dismisses-anuela-ristani-as-acting-mayor-of-tirana ### 2026-08-23: Erion Veliaj faces High Court review over pre-trial detention The Albanian High Court will review the pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on September 15 following a Constitutional Court order to re-examine the legality of his detention. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/erion-veliaj-case-heads-to-albanian-supreme-court ### 2026-08-15: Erion Veliaj: European Democrats raise concerns over Tirana Mayor's detention European Parliament's European Democrats have raised alarms over the prolonged pre-trial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, citing concerns for the rule of law and Albanian democracy. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-democrats-raise-concerns-over-erion-veliaj-detention ### 2026-07-28: Albanian Mayor Erion Veliaj's Lawyers Meet Him, Prepare ECHR Application International lawyers met Albanian Mayor Erion Veliaj in pre‑trial detention after months of denied access, preparing an ECHR filing to challenge his ongoing confinement. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-mayor-erion-veliajs-lawyers-meet-him-prepare-echr-application ### 2026-07-07: Albanian anti‑corruption prosecutor sends four Spanish nationals to trial over money‑laundering with shell companies Albania’s SPAK has sent four Spanish nationals to trial for alleged money‑laundering through three shell companies, using €1.6 million to buy land in Dhërmi. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-nationals-face-trial-in-albania-for-moneylaundering-scheme ### 2026-07-06: Albanian Mayor Erion Veliaj Pushes for Fast Retrial After Constitutional Court Cancels Detention Albania’s Constitutional Court voided the pre‑trial detention of Mayor Erion Veliaj and ordered a review; his lawyers now urge the Supreme Court to speed up the retrial, citing rights and governance concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-mayor-erion-veliaj-pushes-for-fast-retrial-after-constitutional-court-cancels-detention ### 2026-06-24: Ilir Meta requests PM Rama and ex‑speaker Ruçi as witnesses in Kosovo mining‑law trial Ilir Meta seeks to have Prime Minister Edi Rama and ex‑speaker Gramoz Ruçi called as witnesses in his Kosovo mining‑law trial, citing the need to clarify the law’s enactment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ilir-meta-requests-pm-rama-and-exspeaker-rui-as-witnesses-in-kosovo-mininglaw-trial ### 2026-06-24: Albanian courts move forward in high‑profile corruption probes Albanian Special Court advances corruption trials of Astrit Vladi and Eriona Daupaj in the Toyota Yaris case and resumes former president Ilir Meta’s case, with his lawyer demanding high‑level witnesses. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-courts-move-forward-in-highprofile-corruption-probes ### 2026-06-19: Albanian High Prosecutorial Council criticised over Veliaj case Attorney Plarent Ndreca claims Albania’s High Prosecutorial Council is acting unlawfully in the Veliaj case, calling for transparency and public trial access. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-high-prosecutorial-council-criticised-over-veliaj-case ### 2026-06-16: Albania's ex-president Ilir Meta faces trial over lobbying payments and court procedure dispute Albanian court hearings saw SPAK reject live‑streaming requests and prosecutors reveal that former president Ilir Meta’s party paid $93k of a $416k US lobbying bill, fueling the trial’s political fallout. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanias-ex-president-ilir-meta-faces-trial-over-lobbying-payments-and-court-procedure-dispute ### 2026-06-05: Former Albanian President Ilir Meta denounces politicized trial at GJKKO Ilir Meta, former Albanian president, testified that his GJKKO trial is politicised, highlighted a $15,000 McKeon payment, and condemned his glass‑cell detention, citing a Helsinki Committee ruling deeming it非法 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/former-albanian-president-ilir-meta-denounces-politicized-trial-at-gjkko ### 2026-05-30: Albania's courts clash over Erjon Velia's detention and the “most favourable law” rule Albanian commentator Arben Meçe says Erjon Velia’s arrest was unjust, urging courts to apply the “most favourable law” and a unified, milder security measure. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanias-courts-clash-over-erjon-velias-detention-and-the-most-favourable-law-rule ### 2026-05-28: Albanian MPs demand publication of Constitutional Court ruling on ex‑President Ilir Meta Albanian MPs urge quick release of Constitutional Court ruling on ex‑President Ilir Meta; Helsinki Committee warns of media‑communication bans during his pre‑trial detention. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-mps-demand-publication-of-constitutional-court-ruling-on-expresident-ilir-meta ### 2026-05-25: Albanian Constitutional Court orders review of mayor Erion Veliaj’s prison detention Albania’s Constitutional Court sent the case over mayor Erion Veliaj’s jail pre‑trial detention to the High Court, citing proportionality and constitutional concerns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/albanian-constitutional-court-orders-review-of-mayor-erion-veliajs-prison-detention --- Cite as: Albanian anti-corruption trials and Veliaj detention. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/albanian-officials-pretrial-detention-disputes