Mero Baze slams SPAK’s double standards after Tirana mayor’s arrest

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has been arrested ahead of Albania’s local elections, a move sparking fierce political debate. The Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK), the country’s elite prosecution office, claims Veliaj is tied to a controversial property case. However, critics—including prominent journalist Mero Baze—argue the timing suggests a politically motivated crackdown. Baze made these statements during a video-linked interview with Top Channel’s Milaim Zeka.

Baze, the publisher of newspaper TemA, suggests SPAK is repositioning itself amid shifting political dynamics, particularly following changes in U.S. leadership and continued attacks from former Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

The case centers on a villa in Golem, allegedly owned by Veliaj but registered under his in-laws’ names. Prosecutors cite personal belongings—such as children's toys—as evidence. Baze dismissed the claim as flimsy, pointing to Berisha’s long-standing use of his daughter’s villa without scrutiny.

The arrest comes as SPAK faces growing criticism over its inconsistent legal standards. Baze pointed to the case of former Shkodër Mayor Bardh Spahia, who was prosecuted for removing a local water utility director. He argued that while opposition figures face legal action over administrative decisions, more severe allegations against high-profile politicians remain largely unaddressed.

Baze argues SPAK’s tactics could paralyze public administration, warning that if minor infractions become prosecutable, governance itself could grind to a halt. Meanwhile, the broader implications of Veliaj’s arrest loom over Albania’s Socialist Party, with Prime Minister Edi Rama now effectively leading Tirana’s local administration in Veliaj’s absence.