Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj is requesting from the Special Court that the court sessions against him be broadcast live and that the public have the opportunity to closely experience the progress of the process. In fact, there was no objection regarding the presence of cameras in the hall at the entrance to the GJKKO process, but the defendant Elman Abule did not consent to being filmed, which caused the court to respect his decision.
Regarding Veliaj's request for a live trial, special prosecutor Altin Dumani said that "We as the prosecution have a problem, but it may disturb the process, criminal cases where there are witnesses or even collaborators of justice are not allowed to be broadcast live. This does not happen either in the region or in Europe or in federal courts in the United States of America". Dumani further added that "cameras may be allowed for some film footage, but witnesses and collaborators cannot be exposed".
After hearing the parties, the GJKKO decided to reject Veliaj's request for live broadcast of the proceedings.
Further, Dumani raised concerns that lawyers are making artificial requests with the aim of delaying the trial.
"We have been on the merits for 2 months now, and Veliaj's lawyers are repeatedly trying to prolong the process with artificial requests in our trial," emphasized Prosecutor Dumani.
Lawyer Plarent Ndreca requested that Veliaj be taken out of the cage in court, just like in the Constitutional Court where there was no problem. According to him, keeping him in the cage violates the equality of the parties in the process. He asked the court to take measures for this.
"Regarding the lawyers' request that Veliaj not be kept in a cage, we do not believe that it constitutes a problem. It is not a cage, but a glass and communication is normal. The conditions of the Special Court are very good, like a 5-star hotel," said prosecutor Ols Dado. But the court drew attention to the latter. Ndreca requested explanations from SPAK on how the anonymous reports of Nesti Angoni and Nasta Pëllumbi against Veliaj were administered. The mayor is currently accused of 13 criminal charges such as corruption, money laundering, concealment of assets and abuse of office.
