In the trial against Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj and 29 other defendants, "clashes" between SPAK lawyers and prosecutors continue.
Maksim Haxhiaj, who defends the interests of Ajola Xoxa, Erion Veliaj's wife, also a defendant on serious charges, in his capacity as president of the Chamber of Advocates, asked the court whether the lawyer primarily assigned to defend the mayor's interests was familiar with the file or not.
"The College should express whether it has been acquainted with the file, because there is also a disciplinary committee," said Haxhiaj. Special Prosecutor Ols Dado reminded him that he was in the session as a lawyer and not as the president of the Chamber of Advocates. The court asked the parties not to debate.
At this moment, Plarent Ndreca intervened, who represents Veliaj's interests and is also a defendant himself, being tried in the same GJKKO.
"I support my colleague. Maks Haxhia has both qualities and cannot come out of one or the other. Due process is also related to the way a lawyer practices his profession," said Ndreca.
But the court interrupted, emphasizing that "each of you may have other charges, but they are not related to this process. Maks Haxhia is legitimate as the defense attorney of one of the defendants in this process."
Ndreca continued the debate again.
"I do not share the same opinion as you say. The process has 30 defendants and the interests are connected. The qualities of an individual cannot be separated, when you look at how the profession of a lawyer is practiced, because it is part of the due process of law," he said.
Ndreca then made a request to the GJKKO, which is actually repeated.
"I have a written request, it is two pages. I asked to be familiar with the acts of the file. I asked for the schedules when I can come to court to familiarize myself with the file, then I got the commitment to study the file. At first, they told me that you will receive it electronically, but this was not possible due to the opposition of the prosecution. I came with a group of lawyers. I ask for a 2-week deadline for me to conduct a preliminary review of the file, to understand how to properly conduct the defense and to present a detailed plan for how I will conduct the defense. The court must provide the necessary time for us to conduct an effective defense. Any unjustified haste does not serve justice. This process also has an impact on the public due to the function of the defendant Erion Veliaj, as a mayor elected several times by vote. After we get acquainted with the acts, a real debate can take place. We ask that we get acquainted with the file and that you take our request into account", said Ndreca.
Following the hearing, lawyer Romina Zaho requested the separation of the case for businessman Elman Abule and then the declaration of subject matter incompetence by the GJKKO and its sending for trial to another court.
"I request a summary trial, I stand by the request made by the lawyer," Abule himself, who was present in court, declared.
Businessman Mirton Lika also requested separation of the case and a summary trial.
Lawyer Sokol Hazizaj, who defends businessman Fatmir Bektashi and the company Kontakt, also repeated the same request for the case to be separated and a summary trial.
"We are not at this point at all, please let's consume the preliminary requests, then move on to that procedural moment for the summary trial," said prosecutor Ols Dado.
The trial panel stated that it considers it appropriate to hear the defense's preliminary requests in order to express its views.
The defendants' lawyers Ina Goxha and Flutura Xhani also requested a summary trial.
Lawyer Henrik Ligori, who defends former SP MP Klotilda Bushka, stated that: "Our client, who was in the preliminary investigation phase, did not accept the accusation and described it as unsupported by evidence and facts. First, we confirm the request for summary judgment, we request the separation of the case and the lack of subject matter jurisdiction of this court and the transfer of the case to another court." Ligori submitted a document to the GJKKO stating that Bushka is no longer a member of parliament.
(session continues)
