The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, appeared before Albania’s Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) on Tuesday morning, answering questions in a high-profile corruption investigation targeting senior officials.
SPAK is investigating allegations of “passive corruption by senior state officials and elected local representatives.” Veliaj’s testimony follows a recent raid at his residence, during which investigators seized the cellphone of his wife, Ajola Xoxa, while he was out of the country.
Legal battle over seized evidence
Last week, the Special Court of Appeals rejected Xoxa’s attempt to block the seizure of her phone. The court also dismissed similar objections from Veliaj’s brother, Arbër Veliaj, and two companies connected to the probe.
Investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation (BKH) are pursuing leads related to the case, though details remain undisclosed.
