Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted to the Supreme Court’s latest decision to reject Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s appeal seeking a lighter security measure and release from pre-trial detention.
Rama described Veliaj’s prolonged detention as an extraordinary case in the history of democratic Europe. He argued that there is still no clear evidence of an extreme danger that, in his view, would justify keeping an elected official behind bars for such an extended period.
The prime minister also focused on the impact of Veliaj’s absence on the capital, arguing that Tirana and its residents are paying an increasing price for being without their elected mayor.
Rama characterized the situation as an “unprecedented and unheard-of legal, social and economic experiment,” claiming that its consequences are being felt by nearly one million residents of Tirana.
“Tirana is once again without a head, while the elected mayor, recently reaffirmed by the Constitutional Court as the only legitimate officeholder who cannot be removed from his position, remains unable to leave the cell where he is being held without trial,” Rama said.
He stressed that court decisions must be respected and said he has consistently followed that principle, including refraining from commenting on judicial rulings before they become final.
However, Rama maintained that Veliaj’s case remains highly unusual and questioned whether authorities have demonstrated the level of danger necessary to justify such prolonged detention.
He also criticized what he described as the growing cost of leaving Albania’s capital without its elected leader, arguing that residents are continuing to bear the consequences of what he called an unprecedented legal, social and economic situation.
