Lawyer Plarent Ndreca has raised concerns about being prevented from meeting with Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, who is being held in pretrial detention at the Fier prison. In a letter addressed to the head of the institution, Ndreca claims he has been denied entry to the prison for a second time to hold a meeting with Veliaj. The lawyer considers this action a violation of the right to defense and of his professional duties.
Ndreca’s letter:
Director,
This is the second time the same situation has occurred. Today too I am being prevented from entering the institution and meeting my client.
I remind you once more that Article 51 of the law expressly provides the lawyer’s right to meet his client at any time.
Obstructing the performance of my duties as defense counsel directly violates my client’s constitutional rights and entails criminal liability for the responsible persons, including the offense of abuse of office.
I have not come here to escalate the situation, to make it public, or to turn it into a criminal matter. I have come only to perform my duties as a lawyer. However, the repetition of this obstruction is forcing me to take legal action.
I ask you to intervene immediately and guarantee the enforcement of the law!
Otherwise, I will be obliged to approach the judicial police officer on duty to file a criminal complaint for abuse of office against all staff responsible for obstructing the performance of my duties.
Respect for the law is not a matter of the will or discretion of the institution’s staff. It is an obligation!