
The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has sent a letter to international organizations and foreign representatives, requesting the monitoring of a court process that is expected to take place on May 8 at the Tirana Administrative Court.
In his letter, Veliaj says that the session will examine the legality of the appointment of prosecutor Ols Dado, who is leading the investigations into the criminal case against him.
He calls on organizations to participate in the process and request live broadcast of the hearing, arguing that the issue is important for the rule of law and democracy in Albania.
According to Veliaj, he has launched a legal challenge to Dado's appointment to the Prosecutor's Office in 2008, claiming that the latter did not complete the Magistrate's School and is therefore not exempt from this legal obligation.
In the letter, Veliaj argues that, if these allegations are proven, the appointment of the prosecutor would be considered legally invalid, raising questions about the validity of the procedural actions taken by him in the criminal investigation.
The mayor claims that the opposing party has requested the dismissal of the case on procedural grounds, arguing his lack of legitimacy to raise this request.
Veliaj describes the role of the prosecutor as a function with a wide impact on the lives and freedoms of citizens, emphasizing that the qualification and legality of the appointment of prosecutors are key elements for the functioning of the rule of law.
In the letter, he also lists allegations about the manner in which the investigation against him was conducted, stating that he has faced severe restrictive measures, control over access to evidence, and difficulties in preparing a legal defense.
According to Veliaj, the legal challenge is not only related to his personal issue, but to the need for transparency and accountability in the process of appointing and vetting prosecutors in Albania.
He concludes the letter by asking international organizations to closely follow the judicial process and make the issue visible at the international level.