New allegations have emerged surrounding Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, after his defense lawyer, Plarent Ndreca, claimed that Justice Minister Toni Gogu made an unannounced visit to Fier Prison on Friday evening, October 30, allegedly carrying a message and threats from Prime Minister Edi Rama.
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The lawyer also claimed that the minister arrived dressed in sportswear and wearing a cap.
During their conversation, Gogu allegedly told Veliaj that he had been instructed by the prime minister to deliver a series of messages, including demands that the mayor immediately surrender his mandate, delegate his powers to individuals selected by Rama, and dismiss his defense lawyer, Plarent Ndreca.
According to the account provided by the lawyer, Gogu told Veliaj:
"I am here on the Prime Minister's instructions. I want to convey to you word for word what the Prime Minister has instructed me to say:
'This is the last time I am addressing you as your political father. From today onwards, I will address you only as Prime Minister.
- Surrender your mandate immediately.
- Delegate your powers to the individuals I will name.
- Give up your lawyer, Plarent Ndreca.
Otherwise, I will transfer you to Prison No. 302 and direct SPAK to launch investigations into undermining the constitutional order. I will make sure you rot in prison.'"
Veliaj's response
According to Ndreca's account, Veliaj immediately rejected the alleged demands and responded directly to the Justice Minister.
"Even if I spend 100 years in prison, I will not bring shame upon my children," Veliaj reportedly told Gogu.
The allegations add another dimension to the controversy surrounding Veliaj's recent transfer from Durrës detention facility to Fier Prison on October 28.
The reported visit, the alleged unrecorded meeting and the accusations involving the prime minister and the justice minister raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the mayor's detention and the relationship between the political leadership and the ongoing legal proceedings.
The claims have been made by Veliaj's defense lawyer and have not been independently established. No official confirmation of the alleged conversation or the reported threats has been presented in the available reports.