The procedural clash over the security measure against Erion Veliaj has moved to the Supreme Court, where the defense is seeking priority treatment and the release of the Mayor of Tirana. The request comes with the argument that the Constitutional Court’s ruling must be taken into account and that, according to his lawyer, there are no longer any grounds for him to remain in prison.
Defense seeks expedited review
Lawyer Plarent Ndreca has asked the Supreme Court to give priority to reviewing the security measure against Erion Veliaj. According to him, the case should focus on the restriction of liberty and should not be mixed with the trial on the merits.
Ndreca said that two requests have been filed with the Supreme Court to speed up the procedure, arguing that the case concerns an elected official who is still in office.
Defense argument: the proportionate decision is release
According to the version presented by the defense, there is no longer any reason for Veliaj to be kept in prison, and the proportionate measure would be his release. The lawyer claims this would make it possible for him to carry out his duties as Mayor of Tirana.
In his position, Ndreca insisted that the Supreme Court should address what the Constitutional Court has set out, placing the emphasis on the effect that ruling should have on the assessment of the security measure.
Debate over delays in the process
The defense has rejected the claim that there were intentional delays on its part. According to Ndreca, they were absent only twice throughout the process, and the current debate should be limited to the security measure, not the case that will be examined on the merits.
This position shows that the defense strategy aims to clearly separate the two levels of the process: one relates to personal liberty and the proportionality of the measure, while the other concerns examining the charges on the merits.
Tirana Municipality also central to the argument
Part of the defense argument also relates to the institutional consequences of the mayor’s absence from office. Ndreca said the situation has caused damage to the city and to the functioning of the Municipality of Tirana.
This is an interpretation presented by Veliaj’s lawyer, while the decision remains in the hands of the Supreme Court, which is expected to assess whether the conditions for the security measure still stand or not.
At this stage, the core of the clash remains a direct question: is Erion Veliaj’s continued imprisonment still justified, or does the Constitutional Court’s ruling require an immediate reassessment of the measure?
The answer will come from the Supreme Court, in a case where, beyond the personal interest of the defendant, the argument of its impact on the leadership of the Municipality of Tirana is also being used.