Producer and songwriter Ardit Gjebrea spent more than two and a half hours at SPAK, where he was questioned as a witness. After leaving the institution, he spoke to reporters, explaining that he was summoned for a matter that constitutes an investigative secret.
Gjebrea emphasized that he is not a person under investigation, but was questioned as a person with knowledge of the case, while refusing to provide further details due to investigative secrecy.
"I was in the capacity of a witness, for a matter that is an investigative secret. I cannot speak more, because I have to respect the institution, but I also respect you. I could have fled, but I cannot. I am as a person in the know", declared Gjebrea.
Asked about the way he was received at SPAK, the producer described the communication as friendly, while humorously indicating that he had also invited representatives of the institution to his television program.
"They were friendly. I also invited him to my program. Since 'Albanian Sunday' has a human column, why not. They invited me, I invited them. I behaved a bit like an amateur," he said, laughing.
Gjebrea's summons to SPAK is related to the investigations into the case of former Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj. According to published information, the producer was asked about the funding that his company, "Jon Music", received from the Municipality of Tirana for the organization of the "Magic Song" festival.
Data from the "Open Spending Data" platform, which reflects transactions carried out through the Treasury, show that the company "Jon Music" received six payments from the Municipality of Tirana during the period when the institution was headed by Erion Veliaj.
It is these payments and the circumstances surrounding their receipt that have reportedly been the focus of special prosecutors' questions. Gjebrea has given explanations as a witness, while investigations into the matter continue.
