The claims by Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj that he was blackmailed during his stay in the Fier prison have been questioned by journalist Klodiana Lala, who described his statements as part of a strategy to create the image of a person persecuted by justice. Lala also commented on the meeting between the Minister of Justice, Besfort Lamallari (Gogu), and Veliaj inside the Fier prison premises, late in the evening. According to the journalist, the fact that the meeting took place around 22:30 and was not accompanied by an official visit to inspect prison conditions raises questions about its purpose.
“A Minister of Justice, under the law, can carry out prison visits at any hour and at any time. The fact that Gogu went to the Fier prison at 22:30 in the evening and held a meeting not to inspect prison conditions shows that he did not go in the exercise of his duties as Minister of Justice”, Lala said.
The journalist then turned to Veliaj’s claim that he had been threatened to hand over the Municipality of Tirana to Arbër Hajdari. She pointed out that the mayor has not made an institutional complaint about these allegations. “The fact that he does not report the blackmail raises doubts for me. If Veliaj has fallen victim to blackmail, he should address the institutions”, she stated.
According to Lala, since the start of his arrest Veliaj has tried to present himself as a victim of an unjust process. She added that the blackmail claims could also be used as part of the mayor’s legal efforts at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. “Mr. Veliaj will certainly use this in Strasbourg”, the journalist said.