13.02.2025 19:21
Tensions arose between government and opposition lawmakers in the Albanian Parliament due to the detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. During the ensuing tension, several lawmakers blocked the parliamentary podium and threw various objects at the ministers. Those moments were captured on camera in real-time.
In the Albanian Parliament, tensions arose between ruling and opposition party deputies due to the detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj.
During the session in the Albanian Parliament, tensions erupted between deputies of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Albania (PD), and government members. Opposition deputies, reacting to the detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, demanded that Prime Minister Edi Rama also be present at the session. Tensions escalated after mutual accusations between deputies and requests from opposition deputies to speak.
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj NUMEROUS OBJECTS WERE THROWN AT THE MINISTER Some PD deputies blocked the parliamentary podium and threw water bottles and various objects at the ministers present in the session, leading to a scuffle between deputies and the parliamentary security unit. The technical infrastructure of the parliament was also damaged during the tension.
After several interruptions, Parliament Speaker Elisa Spiropali called on opposition deputies not to cause further tensions.
PD Chairman and former Prime Minister Sali Berisha also demanded that Prime Minister Rama urgently attend the parliamentary sessions.
SESSION POSTPONED Parliament Speaker Spiropali postponed the session to February 17 following the tensions. The Albanian Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations, Taulant Balla, noted that the allegations against Veliaj are "still under suspicion."
WHAT HAD HAPPENED? Tirana Mayor Veliaj was detained on February 10. Veliaj was detained on February 10 on charges of corruption and money laundering, while his wife, Ajola Xoxa, was placed under "house arrest" due to charges of corruption, money laundering, and making false statements regarding assets.
The Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime in Albania (GJKKO) announced yesterday that Veliaj's detention period had been extended, while the precautionary measure against his wife Xoxa was changed from "house arrest" to "travel ban" and "judicial control condition."
Protests demanding the resignation of Veliaj, who is accused of corruption, began in April 2024, and clashes occurred between protesters and police at times. Veliaj was elected as the Mayor of Tirana in 2015 with the proposal of the ruling Socialist Party of Albania, led by Prime Minister Rama.