Journalist Klodiana Lala, speaking on the program “Të Paekspozuarit”, commented on the claims of Mayor Erion Veliaj, who declared that he was threatened by Minister Toni Gogu on behalf of the prime minister. During the discussion, Lala highlighted the absence of an official complaint from Veliaj on this matter, questioning why he has not turned to the competent institutions to denounce the claim.
“Veliaj claims he was blackmailed by Toni Gogu in the premises of the Fier prison. But if we ask whether there is a complaint from his side, the answer is no, at least so far”, the journalist said. Lala also commented on Veliaj’s position regarding his arrest, stressing that he is trying to present the situation as a case of political persecution.
“Veliaj’s narrative has focused on trying to show that he is politically persecuted. I do not share the same view, since a politically persecuted person is held in prison for his political beliefs. In this specific case, there is a court decision for his detention”, Lala stated. Another issue discussed during the program was the mayor’s health condition. According to the journalist, this is one of the main points on which Veliaj’s defense and his lawyer, Plarent Ndreca, have focused.
Lala recalled Ndreca’s claim that Veliaj is not being allowed to undergo a medical procedure in a hospital, stressing that every person deprived of liberty must have access to necessary health care. “A prisoner has the right to receive dignified treatment. If the prison hospital cannot provide the necessary service, he should be transferred to another hospital”, the journalist said.
Finally, Lala raised questions about the direction the new SPAK investigation into Veliaj may take. She said she could not determine whether the investigation is directly linked to the incinerator case, but assessed that there may be developments leading to a charge related to the Tirana incinerator. “This has also been one of the major criticisms of the investigations so far, as the perception has been created that the focus was on Veliaj’s spouse rather than on the incinerator issue”, Klodiana Lala concluded.