The debate over Erjon Veliaj’s transfer to the high-security prison in Fier has shifted to the legality of the decision and the conditions of his detention. After an evening visit to IEVP Fier, his lawyer made direct allegations over a lack of documentation, improper isolation and restrictions on several basic rights.
Prison visit after Veliaj’s request
The Ombudsman and Erjon Veliaj’s lawyer arrived at the high-security prison in Fier following a request by the Tirana mayor himself, who has described the transfer from Durrës prison as unlawful.
According to information reported from inside IEVP Fier, the Ombudsman met with Veliaj and then left the institution’s premises. The visit came at a time when his transfer had been publicly challenged as a violation of rights.
Lawyer raises doubts over legality of transfer
After meeting with his client, lawyer Plarent Ndrecaj described the transfer from Durrës to Fier as illegal. According to him, up to the time of his statement, no written act had been made available explaining the reasons for this decision.
This is the core of the defense’s claim: not simply the move to another institution, but the lack of transparency and formal basis for a measure that directly affects a prisoner’s rights.
Claims of isolation and lack of medical check-up
According to the lawyer, Veliaj is being held in an isolation area together with two other inmates sentenced to life imprisonment. He described the situation as inappropriate and raised serious concerns about detention conditions at IEVP Fier.
Another claim raised by the defense concerns his health condition. The lawyer said his client had not been provided with a medical check-up, even though, according to him, he has had leg problems for more than three weeks.
Allegations also over food and communication with family
In the same statement, the lawyer said Veliaj had not consumed food and had not been allowed telephone communication with his family and with his lawyer.
These are claims that affect the minimum standards of treatment in penal institutions and require institutional verification, not only formal responses.
Response expected from responsible institutions
The lawyer thanked the Ombudsman for the visit and verification at Fier prison, while calling for a response from the Ministry of Justice and other responsible institutions.
So far, the public version of this episode is based on the defense’s claims and on Veliaj’s own objection to the transfer. As for the legality of the decision and the actual detention conditions, it remains to be seen whether prison authorities will provide documented clarifications.
The case raises questions not only about this specific instance, but also about how transfers are administered in the penitentiary system and how transparent decisions are when they affect the rights of people in pre-trial detention or serving sentences.