Sali Berisha, leader of Albania’s opposition Democratic Party, has claimed that the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (BKH) raided a secret apartment linked to Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. According to Berisha, the BKH found hundreds of invoices, multiple contracts, and a large sum of cash during the raid.
The apartment in question, located in the “Ish-Blloku” district of Tirana, is allegedly owned by the Veliaj family. Berisha, who made the accusations in a social media post, said the find is part of a larger corruption probe into the mayor’s office.
Although Berisha’s claims have not been officially confirmed, the investigation has been making headlines in Albania for months. It centers on several charges, including corruption, money laundering, and failure to declare assets. Investigators are focusing on documents and electronic devices that could provide evidence.
Earlier in December 2024, police searched the business premises of Veliaj’s wife, Ajola Xoxa, and the home of his brother, Arbër Veliaj. Both were questioned as part of the probe.
The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecution (SPAK) opened the investigation in February 2024. At first, it was focused on passive corruption by high-ranking officials, but three more charges were added later, including active corruption and money laundering.
The case began after a tip-off from a citizen identified as N.A. Since then, both Mayor Veliaj and his wife have been questioned. More recently, businessman Elman Abule and his wife have also been interviewed as part of the investigation.
