Albania’s Special Court of Appeals for Corruption and Organized Crime has upheld the detention order for Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, rejecting his request for a more lenient measure. Veliaj argued there was no risk of evidence tampering or flight, but the court maintained the original ruling.
Judge Engert Pëllumbi granted house arrest for businessman Elman Abule, while keeping lesser restrictive measures in place for three other defendants, Shkëlqim Fusha, Gentian Sula, and Meriman Palushi.
Veliaj, in custody since February 10, faces nine counts of passive corruption by high state officials and money laundering. The ruling can be appealed to the Supreme Court within 45 days.
