The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has officially addressed SPAK and the General Directorate of Prisons with a request to allow an official meeting with representatives of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, during their visit to Albania from November 17-19, 2025. EC monitors will come with a mission to Tirana.
In his request, Veliaj emphasizes that the delegation's visit takes place within the framework of the Congress's monitoring mission for respect for the principles of local democracy and good governance in the member states of the Council of Europe.
He requests that Congress representatives be allowed to meet with him in the premises of Durres Prison, where he is currently held, to inform them about his legal and institutional situation.
According to Veliaj, this meeting will serve to clarify the respect for his rights as a detainee and as a public official, in accordance with Articles 6 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the right to communication and representation.
"The purpose of this meeting is to ensure transparency, direct communication and accurate information on my legal situation, my institutional status as Mayor of Tirana and respect for my rights as a detainee. In accordance with the obligations arising from the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular Articles 6 and 8 which guarantee the right to communication and representation, please approve this request and ensure the conditions for the meeting to take place during the period of the aforementioned visit", Veliaj emphasizes in the request addressed to SPAK and the Directorate of Prisons.