Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted sharply after the Supreme Court left in force the jail detention measure for Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. In his public version, the head of government presented the case as an unusual one in Europe and emphasized the political, administrative and civic cost that, according to him, is being charged to Tirana.
The ruling that keeps Veliaj behind bars
Rama’s reaction came after the Supreme Court decided not to change the security measure against Erion Veliaj, leaving the jail detention order in force.
This means the Tirana mayor remains behind bars, while the public debate is shifting not only to the criminal case, but also to the functioning of the municipality in the absence of its elected leader.
Rama: Tirana is paying the price
In a post on social network X, Rama said Tirana is once again being left “headless,” claiming that the extension of this situation is producing direct consequences for the city and its residents.
He argued that the cost is not only political, but also social and economic, presenting the blocking of the municipality’s leadership as a burden being passed on to the citizens of the capital.
Political attack on how the case is being handled
The prime minister said he respects court decisions, but at the same time attacked the way Veliaj’s detention is being prolonged without trial. According to him, there is still no sign of the “extreme dangerousness” that would justify such a strong and prolonged measure.
This is a position that goes beyond a procedural comment: Rama is turning the case into an open political debate over the proportionality of the security measure and its impact on local administration.
‘A unique case in the history of democratic Europe’
In his statement, Rama described Veliaj’s ordeal as “unique in the history of democratic Europe,” a strong political formulation aimed at calling into question not only the specific case, but also the institutional message being sent in public.
However, beyond the prime minister’s harsh language, the Supreme Court’s decision remains in force and the practical effect is clear: Veliaj is not leaving his cell, while the Municipality of Tirana continues to function in a prolonged leadership crisis.
The clash between political power and court decision-making is becoming even more visible in a case involving one of the country’s most important local offices.
For now, the legal fact has not changed: the jail detention measure against Erion Veliaj remains in force, despite the public and political pressure being exerted on this issue.