Tirana mayor denies corruption claims in SPAK investigation

Tirana, December 27, 2024 - The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has denied accusations of corruption following an investigation by Albania’s anti-corruption agency, SPAK. His legal team has called the investigation unfair and against the law.

In a statement shared on Friday, Veliaj’s lawyers listed eight points they say prove the investigation is flawed. They claim the accusations against the mayor are unclear, and the investigation into Veliaj and his family was kept secret. They also accuse SPAK of carrying out searches without proper warrants and intimidating witnesses.

The lawyers said SPAK broke legal deadlines and criticised leaks about the investigation in the media, calling them harmful to justice.

Veliaj has been the Mayor of Tirana since 2015 and he is known for modernising the city. 

SPAK has not yet responded to the accusations from Veliaj’s legal team.