Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges

TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). 

Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted him to a detention facility. An arrest warrant has also been issued for his wife, Ajola Xoxa, who is reportedly outside Albania.

In December, prosecutors revealed evidence implicating Veliaj and his family members in multiple criminal offenses, including “passive corruption,” “active corruption,” “money laundering” and “concealment of assets.”

This is a developing story. Subscribers can read our full analysis here.

Original post Here

News
Rama: Direct Tirana–U.S. Route Nears Completion

Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the inaugural ceremony of the first direct flight between Tirana and Toronto, describing it as a new bridge connecting Albania and Canada. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Rama said Albania has joined the map of transatlantic flights for the first time. He noted that what …

News
Albania Welcomes Over 3 Million Foreign Visitors in First Five Months of 2026

Blendi Gonxhja announced that Albania welcomed more than 3 million foreign visitors between January and May 2026. Speaking at Tirana International Airport, Gonxhja said connectivity drives tourism growth. He described the arrival of the first direct flight from Canada to Tirana as a historic milestone for both civil aviation and …

News
Albania Secures $302 Million U.S. Loan for Military Financing

The Albanian government has approved a direct loan agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program. The agreement provides $302 million to support Albania’s defense modernization and strengthen its military capabilities. Under the deal, Albania’s Ministry of Finance will sign the agreement on behalf of the …