The Veliaj case, brutal and banal, neither sophisticated nor intellectual

By Grigels Muçollari

The affairs of Erjon Veliaj are neither sophisticated nor intellectual crimes difficult to unravel.

He is responsible for 5D and for the financial scandal of Tirana's incinerator, where in both cases he is directly involved as the head of the Municipality.

No legal circumstances save or mitigate his role. The only thing that is creating immunity and staying above the law is the kindness shown by SPAK colleagues.

The incinerator of Tirana started with his insistence. This big tax abuse scheme of the citizens of Tirana has been rejected 3 times by the ministers of finance, Shkëlqim Cani and Arben Ahmetaj.

But it was Veliaj's insistence with his firm, and on behalf of the City Council, that paved the way for this affair that has so far received more than 130 million euros, and meanwhile the incineration is not done. The incinerator does not exist.

Arben Ahmetaj testified about the behavior of Erjon Veliaj as the de facto owner of the Tirana incinerator.

There is nothing sophisticated here, nor intellectual, that SPAK does not see or recognize. Every student of law ascertains Erjon Veliaj's responsibility and direct connection with this crime.

A crime for which many are before the law, arrested and in the process, except for the main person responsible, which is Erjon Veliaj.

In the case of the 5D affair, there is even less sophistication and intellectual crime.

It is as clear as the sun that only "colleagues" with their kindness can believe the ridiculous fable that Erjon Veliaj did not know anything about what his main colleagues in the Municipality were doing, the directors with whom he made decisions, with whom has shared power, with whom he spent late dinners, with whom he ran the campaign, spent the weekends, and with whom he took vacations abroad.

No "5D" could be created and could not function without the blessing of the head of the institution, that is, without the agreement of the Mayor.

There are not 2 procedures, and 3 transactions. There are not a few movements in distant municipal units, but there are over 30 prosecutions in the heart of the Municipality, and over 30 million euros that 5D has received. According to the judge, 5D operated as a structured criminal group. And it is known that a structured criminal group operates under the command, under the leadership of the most powerful, which in this case is Erjon Veliajt.

In both of these affairs, the Mayor of Tirana is openly, directly responsible.

These are brutal, banal thefts and there is nothing intellectual or sophisticated about it.

Therefore, the defense that SPAK and its head, Dumani, made to Veliaj in Parliament is unacceptable. We expect the head of SPAK to be on the side of justice, of the citizens, of the taxpayers of Tirana who have been abused and trampled by their mayor. His positioning next to Veliaj is a betrayal of the public, of the hopes that people have in the new justice system.

Duman's apology to Veliaj in Parliament is an invitation to more resistance. Now, apparently, the request for justice should be directed to another address, to other doors. Until SPAK shows that Erjon Veliaj is equal like all other citizens before the law.