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Albanian anti-corruption trials and Veliaj detention

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2026-09-14 20:46 UTC → 2026-09-15 07:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~Supreme~~ High Court is scheduled to review Veliaj’s ~~case~~ detention on September 15. Veliaj, who has been in pre-trial detention since February 2025 on ~~corruption and~~ corruption, money ~~laundering~~ laundering, and abuse of office charges, has denied all allegations, claiming in a letter from prison that he is a victim of “political persecution.” ~~His legal team, including attorney Plarent Ndreca, argues there is no legal justification for his continued detention, noting that investigations concluded a year ago. This follows a July ruling by~~ Defense lawyer Ben Brandon has described the ~~Constitutional Court~~ detention as “unnecessary and disproportionate,” while opposition leader Gazment Bardhi warned that ~~overturned a previous Supreme Court decision, ordering a new review regarding~~ Veliaj’s release would signal the ~~necessity and proportionality~~ end of ~~his imprisonment.~~ justice reforms in the country.

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