EU goes to support SPAK, following Tirana mayor's arrest

The European Union has backed the work of Special Prosecution Against Corruption (SPAK) in Albania, following the criticism it has received in the wake of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj's arrest.

The European Commission spokesman has said that SPAK's role in Albania is of key importance and that reform in justice and rule of law are key elements of Albania's EU membership process.

Veliaj was arrested Monday due to allegations of corruption, including at least 1.1m euros in public funds. He is accused of giving public money to businesses that in return gave illegal profits to his family.

Until Veliaj appeared before the tribunal Wednesday, prime minister and leader of the ruling Socialist Party, Edi Rama, said before MPs that “there is no evidence” against Veliaj and named the prosecution file as “a 400-page novel, with many characters, but without facts”.

He stressed that the stance of the Government and the party leading to support justice and fighting corruption does not change, but said the “undermines a constructive side to be guarantor of justice independence”.

Although the European Commission spokesman has said the EU cannot comment on the ongoing judicial processes, he said the EU is closely following the latest developments.

The specific role of the SPAK, as well as its independence in investigating and proceeding high-level corruption cases, free of any attempts at unnecessary interference or pressure, is of key importance for the rule of law in Albania”, the European Commission spokesman said.

In recent months, Albania had noted significant progress in the process of membership negotiations with the EU, opening the first negotiating chapters. /rel