Why was Veliaj held in prison? The court’s decision is revealed

The person under investigation, Erjon Veliaj is still in the position of Mayor of Tirana and has the power to influence his subordinates, to eradicate or distort the content of various documents that may serve as proof sources. As well as to influence different persons, subordinate or not, not to make valuable statements before the proceeding body or to distort the content of these statements.

This is one of the arguments of the Special Appeal Judge, Engert Pellumbi, in his whitewashed ruling that also confirmed in the second instance prison arrest for Veliaj, suspected of corruption in nine cases and money laundering. The decision was distributed to the mayor’s lawyers this Tuesday.

The court also refers to the behavior of the official while he was arrested, where he has made calls from the internal number of prison. According to SPAK’s subsequent inspections, it is considered a risk of poisoning evidence. The court notes that there is also the risk of escaping and committing other offenses of the same type as those for which it is processed.

Another risk is the threat of the investigation team. On the risk of influencing justice when the investigator is a senior official, the Court of Appeal refers to a European Court’s ruling in the Podeski case against San Marino and that brings a precedent of strong supports. The position of investigating, Appeal says in Albania, is considered « the more powerful the person is, the greater the potential to undermine the investigation or to exert inappropriate pressure ».

Regarding the suspects of the suspect’s escape, Appeal Judge Engert Pellumbi states that the financial possibilities of the investigators are valued in harmony with his numerous movements, also confirmed by the TIMS system, and due to the offenses he is being investigated, the court concludes that this risk is eminent and at high levels.

This conclusion is not even relativized by the fact that the person under investigation is the head of household and the father of a minor child, adds the judge. The judge shows another danger, that of the risk of recurrence. Immediately after the verdict is whitewashed, the lawyers will turn to the Supreme Court with a recourse.

Retrieved from /Top Channel /