“Comment is free, but facts are sacred.” — C. P. Scott, 1921.
Special Court: Police failed to protect judges from pro-Veliaj protesters
Erblin Vukaj · Originally published: 14 February 2025
The Special Court’s response and request
The Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime (GJKKO) has described the State Police’s failure to respond during Wednesday’s rally as unprecedented. Socialist Party supporters blocked the entrance, chanting as they awaited the ruling on pretrial measures for Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj.
In a press release on Friday, the Special Court said the rally had escalated into a dangerous situation for judges and court staff. The court has demanded answers from the Interior Ministry, the General Directorate of the State Police and the Police Oversight Agency.
In an official request sent on Thursday, 13 February, the institution asks why the same security procedures used at other protests were not followed, and what measures will be taken to prevent a similar situation in future.
The rally and security measures
On 12 February, a hearing was taking place inside the court to review pretrial measures for Veliaj, his wife Ajola Xoxa and five entrepreneurs: Elman Abule, Fatmir Bektashi, Gentjan Sula, Meriman Palushi and Shkelqim Fusha.
At the court’s doors, Veliaj supporters, called out by the Socialist Party, blocked the entrance with chants of “Oh Lali! Our precious one, we want you in City Hall!”.
Earlier, in their public statements and appeals, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj had targeted prosecutor Ols Dado and judge Erion Bani with derogatory labels. The participants echoed this language during the rally.
GJKKO says Republican Guard officers, responsible for protecting the inner perimeter, asked police for help securing the outside premises, a practice followed at previous protests. This time, however, help did not come.
The court stresses that it contacted the Interior Ministry and other institutions, making clear that the failure of police to intervene posed a serious risk not only to judges’ physical safety but also to the independence of the country’s justice institutions.
According to the statement, protesters not only prevented judges from leaving the court premises; some also attacked their vehicles, hitting them and hurling insults.
This development has raised major questions about the motives behind the State Police’s stance, since similar protests have seen a visible commitment and readiness from law enforcement.
Was it bureaucratic negligence, a lack of institutional coordination or a political stance? Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha must now explain.
Ironically, on Tuesday the police initiated criminal proceedings against 8 people, without detaining them, for “disturbing the public peace” after they celebrated Veliaj’s arrest.
Meanwhile, police were present at Thursday’s rally in support of the work of SPAK, the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, even though attendance was small and its purpose was peaceful and in no way obstructed the court’s work.