Veliaj's "anonymous" informants and opposition mercenaries hired against him

oday, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj publicly acknowledged that it was an anonymous individual who reported him to SPAK (Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime). The prosecutor in charge of the case did not endevaour to confirm the identity of the reporter. After months of public scrutiny over the waste incinerator scandal and the arrest of several former city hall officials accused of corruption—who are currently on trial—Veliaj was interviewed by prosecutors regarding a cultural foundation run by his wife and the Albanian branch of an international advertising agency owned by his brother to check for potential conflicts of interest.

So far, there are no official accusations against Veliaj in the matters mentioned. Both cases are in court, and the ongoing investigation into his two decades of public service—dating back to his leadership of an NGO in 2024—seems politically motivated.

For example, prosecutors questioned Veliaj about his travel companions in 2004, 2011, and 2014, the credit cards he used, and even why his mother-in-law purchased clothing that wasn’t her size. They also inquired about why his late father-in-law bought a car and later sold it for a higher price. These details suggest a concerted effort to undermine him, fueled by a political agenda supported by the SPAK attorney handling his case.

While the investigations into the waste incinerator scandal and the former city hall officials are related to Veliaj's role as mayor, leading to necessary public scrutiny, a third investigation instigated by unknown reports appears to be an attempt to discredit him, especially since the initial two investigations didn’t result in charges against him. This further inquiry could damage the credibility of SPAK’s prior efforts, which, despite not involving Veliaj directly, still reflect poorly on Tirana City Hall.

The anonymity surrounding the latest report also raises important questions. If the previous investigations, prompted by opposition figures, failed to implicate Veliaj, the credibility of a third probe targeting his family’s activities is questionable. Furthermore, it seems that the “unknown” reporter had access to flight records from 2004 when the TIMS system was not in place, which raises doubts about how easily such information could be obtained.

At this juncture, there are two possibilities: either SPAK is employing questionable methods to gather evidence and disguising them as reports from “anonymous” informants—an unlikely scenario—or there is a political conspiracy against Veliaj involving the Democratic Party (DP) or the Socialist Party (SP).

Veliaj's critics are not anonymous nor solely from the Socialist Party; they are opposition figures temporarily collaborating against him. Some may have received benefits for their families’ businesses or monetary incentives. These individuals are not committed opposition members but opportunists currently aligned with the DP. Many of them interact closely with Edi Rama’s government ministers, indicating a coordinated and unethical attempt to undermine Veliaj, reminiscent of Sali Berisha’s recent blackmail against certain prosecutors.

It would not be surprising if Veliaj faced repercussions over the waste incinerator scandal, should there be adequate evidence linking him to it. However, if there are no grounds for political accusations and efforts shift towards his personal life based on rumors from so-called “well-informed” anonymous informants, it suggests either serious ethical issues within the prosecutor’s office or a politically motivated witch hunt.

Twenty years ago, before Veliaj became an elected official, details such as his travel companions or friendships with ministers are not of public interest. Investigations should focus on Veliaj's responsibilities as the Mayor of Tirana—not his personal choices. The current approach only enhances his position, portraying him as someone unfairly targeted and undermining the integrity of the investigation.
The article initially appeared in Albanian titled: "Denoncuesi 'anonim' i Veliajt dhe opozitarët e marrë me qira kundër tij"