OCTOBER 28, 2026, 6:24 PM
FROM DURRËS TO FIER
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was transferred on October 28 from the Durrës detention facility to IEVP Fier. RTSH, Euronews Albania and other outlets reported that the move followed a decision by the General Directorate of Prisons.
According to those reports, Veliaj did not request the transfer. At the time of publication, the prison authority had not publicly explained the specific reasons for changing his place of pre-trial detention.
VELIAJ RESPONDS
In a statement published on social media, Veliaj objected to the way the transfer was carried out and described it as political. He said the document ordering the move had not been provided to him and asked the Justice Ministry, the Ombudsman and the Albanian Helsinki Committee to intervene.
Those are Veliaj’s own allegations and assessment. The prison authority has not yet issued a public response to his claims or an official explanation for the transfer.
LEGAL STATUS
Veliaj has been held in pre-trial detention since February 2025 in proceedings initiated by SPAK. Pre-trial detention and a transfer between facilities do not amount to a final conviction; he is presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established by a final court judgment.
SOURCES — RTSH, October 28, 2026: https://rtsh.al/erion-veliaj-transferohet-nga-burgu-i-durresit-ne-ievp-fier/ · Euronews Albania, October 28, 2026: https://euronews.al/erion-veliaj-transferohet-nga-burgu-i-durresit-ne-ievp-fier-vendimi-jo-me-kerkese-te-tij/ · Erion Veliaj’s public response, reported by Shqiptarja.com: https://shqiptarja.com/lajm/u-dergua-drejt-paraburgimit-te-fierit-veliaj-transferim-politik-per-mua-perben-rrembim-policor-skam-dhene-pelqimin
