Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj Remains in Custody Amidcorruption Investigation

Erion Veliaj, the mayor of Tirana and a prominent member of Albania's ruling Socialist Party, has been arrested on charges of corruption and money laundering involving at least 1.1 million euros of public funds. He is accused of orchestrating a scheme to misappropriate public resources for personal gain, allegedly benefiting his family through connections to businesses controlled by his wife, Ajola Xoxa, who is also under investigation. The allegations have sparked a political debate ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections, with Veliaj and party leader Prime Minister Edi Rama dismissing the accusations as politically motivated attacks. The investigations are part of a broader initiative supported by the European Union and the United States, aimed at enhancing judicial reforms and fighting corruption as Albania aspires to join the EU by 2030. Veliaj has rejected the corruption claims, labeling them as unfounded, while the judicial bodies continue to probe his involvement and that of other officials. The case underscores the ongoing challenges of corruption within Albania's political landscape.