Veliaj lawyers say detention case is flawed

International lawyers for detained Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said a Constitutional Court ruling exposed serious flaws in the case for keeping him in custody.

The court sent the case back to the Supreme Court, saying judges had not properly reviewed whether Veliaj still needed to remain in detention.

His lawyers said one Constitutional Court judge went further, finding that the evidence did not meet the standard for reasonable suspicion.

They said the Supreme Court should now review the case again and order Veliaj’s release if the detention cannot be justified.

The lawyers also raised concerns over his treatment in court, his access to lawyers and the prosecutor handling the case.