Erion Veliaj — the once-prominent mayor of Tirana and a leading figure in Albania’s Socialist movement — has issued his first public reaction since being dismissed from office by government decision and held in custody earlier this year. Writing from his cell, Veliaj said he is “well, stronger and more determined than ever” in what he described as a “battle with evil,” and published a lengthy message addressing supporters, critics and the Albanian public at large.
Veliaj’s post is notable for several reasons. It combines personal vindication, legal positioning and a broader political appeal: he denies wrongdoing, calls parts of the case a deliberate fabrication, and warns against a pervasive climate of fear that he says inhibits ordinary citizens from speaking freely or trusting that their communications are private. The statement also included a notarized retraction by an Italian witness whose earlier allegations Veliaj says were paid fabrications — an element that Veliaj highlighted as evidence the investigation was built on false or coerced testimony.
Why this matters: the dismissal and the criminal case are now part of a wider national debate about rule of law, political pressure, and the role of investigative bodies in Albania. Veliaj has appealed the government’s decision to dismiss him from the mayoralty to the Constitutional Court, arguing the dismissal is unconstitutional — a move that temporarily stalls the process for scheduling new elections in Tirana and keeps the dispute firmly in the legal arena.
Key elements of Veliaj’s message
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Personal resilience and morale: Veliaj repeatedly thanks supporters for letters that “give him courage every day,” and insists he is calm and cleared in conscience despite being detained.
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Allegations of fabrication: He published what he called a notarized confession from an Italian national who admitted to falsifying previous allegations about Veliaj in exchange for financial incentives from media actors; Veliaj uses this to argue that an “illegal investigation” began from anonymous lies.
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Appeal to citizens: Veliaj frames his message for several audiences — the foreign national who made allegations, political actors who he says knowingly participated in the fabrication, and most importantly, ordinary Albanians. He warns against living in fear of surveillance, being followed, or self-censoring at home.
Context: arrest and charges
Veliaj’s detention dates to early February, when authorities arrested him as part of a corruption-related probe that has drawn strong public attention and international media coverage. Prosecutors have accused him of involvement in schemes that allegedly misused public funds; Veliaj has denied the allegations and characterized the case as politically motivated. The arrest and detention sparked broad debate inside Albania about accountability, political rivalry and judicial independence.
Political and legal consequences
The government’s decision to remove Veliaj from office followed months of legal entanglements and his prolonged absence from mayoral duties while in custody. By appealing to the Constitutional Court, Veliaj has chosen to challenge the dismissal through legal channels, a tactic that could delay replacement elections and keep the matter under judicial review. Meanwhile, the dispute has intensified partisan polarization: supporters view him as a victim of a politically driven purge, whereas critics argue the legal process must run its course.