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BIRN: Veliaj hires British law firm for defense! Huge sum revealed

Politiko 2025-06-24 18:20:16

BIRN: Veliaj hires British law firm for defense! Huge sum revealed

On Tuesday, the British law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and the American Kasowitz LLP, which claim to represent Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, published a report claiming that he is being held in prison unfairly.

The report, which begins with a quote from Alistair Campbell – former media advisor to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama – claims that Veliaj's detention violates the European Convention on Human Rights.

“SPAK has arrested Mayor Veliaj without filing any charges, under conditions that have prevented him from exercising his mandate as mayor and fulfilling his obligations during the campaign for the parliamentary elections of May 11, 2025,” Mishcon de Reya LLP and Kasowitz LLP stated in a press release.

Mishcon de Reya LLP is the second law firm Veliaj has hired, following the American Kasowitz LLP. It was founded in 1937 and had reported revenues of £225 million in 2022–2023. The British law firm is known for representing the rich, famous and powerful – including representing the late Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, during her divorce from King Charles.

Although it is considered one of the largest British law firms, it was fined in 2022 for violating money laundering rules in the United Kingdom.

The law firm was not immediately available by phone on Tuesday. It is unclear whether it was contracted directly by Veliaj to draft the report or through Kasowitz LLP.

The Mayor of Tirana was arrested on February 10 by order of the Special Court Against Organized Crime and Corruption, on suspicion of involvement in corruption and money laundering, through a network of companies and NGOs linked to his wife, Ajola Xoxa.

Veliaj and Xoxa have denied the allegations.

The American studio "Kasowitz Benson Torres" has been engaged to protect the mayor from his brother, Arbër Veliaj, who has made a down payment of 300 thousand USD.

According to data released by the US Department of Justice, Kasowitz lawyers receive an hourly rate ranging from $500 to $1,950.

The security measure against Erion Veliaj is expected to be assessed by the High Court on July 8./ BIRN

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