Tirana mayor challenges prosecutor leading case against him

Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has challenged the appointment of Ols Dado, the prosecutor leading the case against him.

Speaking at the Administrative Court, Veliaj said Dado had kept him away from office for 500 days through what he called an unlawful appointment.

He accused Albania’s High Prosecutorial Council of misleading the court and said Dado did not have the proper credentials for the job.

Veliaj said the case was no longer only about him, arguing that Tirana was now being run by people who had not been elected.

He also said rubbish was piling up in the city and questioned who was responsible for public services and local projects.

“No one is above the law,” Veliaj told the court, “but no one should be left without the basic protection of the law.”