Challenges of Albanian Justice System in Corruption Fight

In February 2025, Erion Veliaj, the three-term mayor of Tirana, was arrested by Albanian prosecutors. Despite being held for eighteen months, Veliaj has yet to be convicted. His detention continues as Albania’s courts debate its legality. This situation is leading the capital without the leadership its voters chose three times.

Americans refer to such legal maneuvers as ‘lawfare’—using legal processes to sideline political rivals. Although this practice isn’t uniquely American, it’s now prevalent in many countries and Albania provides a stark example.

What distinguishes the Albanian situation is the entity responsible for the mayor’s prolonged detention. The prosecutors belong to SPAK, the Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime, established in 2016 with backing from the U.S. and Europe as part of a major judicial reform. Corruption was rampant, and criminal networks took advantage of weak institutions. The reform aimed to strengthen the justice system, promoting cleaner governance, increased investment, public confidence, and expediting Albania’s path to EU membership. Ironically, SPAK, designed to uphold the rule of law, now raises serious concerns.

After a decade, the results are challenging to support. Representative Keith Self from Texas pointed out that Albania’s judicial backlog expanded from 16,000 to roughly 200,000 cases. Citizens face waits of up to 15 years for a final ruling. More than half of the prison population awaits trial, one of Europe’s highest rates. The European Convention on Human Rights mandates that pretrial detention be an exceptional measure, justified case by case—by risk of flight, evidence interference, or threat of new offenses. However, in Albania, it’s a standard practice.

That precisely describes the mayor’s situation in Tirana. The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission analyzed this practice among member states, concluding strongly: when pretrial detention leads to automatic suspension or replacement of mayors, it violates the presumption of innocence, stifles political diversity, and deprives citizens of their chosen representation. A detention order—not a conviction—has barred Tirana’s elected mayor from fulfilling his duty.

When prosecutors have solid evidence of misconduct, they must investigate thoroughly, including city hall. However, they must also adhere to the law. An anti-corruption campaign maintains legitimacy only if it observes due process, and long-term detention without a verdict fails to meet that standard. Albania’s Constitutional Court has ruled twice in favor of the mayor, initially preserving his mandate, then advocating for a fresh review of his prolonged incarceration’s justification.

Jason D. Greenblatt, who worked with President Donald Trump, in business and as his envoy to the Middle East, observes similar trends globally. Countries are grappling with their versions of lawfare, with criminal charges often wielded as political weapons. He sees this pattern in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Argentina regarding President Javier Milei, in France concerning Marine Le Pen’s presidential eligibility, and in Brazil regarding former President Jair Bolsonaro’s incarceration.

The West should be attentive to Albania due to its role in SPAK’s creation, which carries its credibility. Holding an elected mayor without conviction damages the perception of Western principles as selective favoring autocrats. The economic impact is significant, compounded by investors’ reluctance due to ongoing judicial and corruption challenges. Albania’s broad economic potential, noted in the State Department’s 2025 investment climate report, contrasts with hurdles in contract enforcement, procurement, and money laundering, affecting investor confidence.

Albania need not choose between combating corruption and maintaining the rule of law. Success comes from balancing both, as each reinforces the other. The country aimed to curb unchecked power from the corrupt a decade ago. Yet, the mayor is imprisoned without a verdict as this power now resides in prosecutors. Albania must complete its reform efforts, ensuring all adhere to the law.

The perspectives shared are those of Jason D. Greenblatt, previously the White House Middle East envoy and founder of Abraham Venture LLC.