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MEP Schieder Refutes Veliaj’s Propaganda Claims About “Political Persecution”
A coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at portraying Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s arrest as “political persecution” rather than legitimate corruption charges has been exposed by CNA this Thursday.
The scheme began with an article published on the “EU Reporter” portal that attempted to create international support for Veliaj by framing his detention for corruption and money laundering as an attack on the rule of law. The piece claimed that international institutions harbored “serious concerns” about the methods employed by Albania’s Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK).
In a calculated move, the article misappropriated the name of Andreas Schieder, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for Albania, suggesting his calls for justice represented criticism of the prosecution’s work. However, CNA’s investigation revealed a completely different reality.
When contacted by CNA, “EU Reporter” distanced itself from the article’s content, clarifying that it was contributed by an external journalist and did not represent their editorial position. The portal effectively removed responsibility for the claims defending Veliaj.
The definitive refutation came directly from Andreas Schieder’s office in an exclusive statement to CNA. Far from criticizing SPAK, Schieder expressed unequivocal support for the anti-corruption body:
“SPAK is playing a crucial role in the fight against corruption in Albania and shows that the Albanian government is taking this task very seriously. Their work is essential for a consistent approach in fulfilling the reforms required for pre-membership. However, we must ensure that the necessary investigations are followed by swift processes,” Schieder told CNA.
Veliaj’s public relations team appears to have deliberately misinterpreted Schieder’s call for “fast trials.” Rather than suggesting SPAK was moving too slowly, Schieder was advocating for efficient judicial proceedings following thorough investigations. SPAK completed its investigation of Veliaj on schedule, compiling an extensive 60,000-page case file. It is now Veliaj himself who has delayed justice by obstructing court hearings for seven months.
The case now rests with the Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), which must render a decision on the mayor’s fate following SPAK’s comprehensive investigation.
Schieder’s position aligns perfectly with the European Parliament’s latest draft report for 2025, which highlights corruption as a persistent serious concern in Albania and advocates for stronger penalties, particularly for high-level officials.
CNA’s revelations about this disinformation effort demonstrate that Albania’s path to European Union membership depends on allowing SPAK to pursue justice independently, rather than permitting corrupt officials to weaponize international media and Brussels officials as shields against accountability.
This incident represents just the latest example of Veliaj’s propaganda machine attempting to manipulate public opinion and international perceptions. While facing 13 serious criminal charges, the mayor has repeatedly tried to portray legitimate judicial processes as politically motivated attacks, a narrative now thoroughly debunked by one of the very European officials his team attempted to misrepresent.
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17 Comments
This situation highlights the complexity of corruption issues, where political narratives can obscure the truth. I hope the facts come to light so we can assess whether the charges against Mayor Veliaj were warranted.
The role of SPAK in Albania’s anti-corruption efforts is clearly crucial. I hope they are able to operate with independence and integrity, without undue political interference, to root out graft at all levels.
The role of institutions like SPAK is crucial in the fight against corruption, but they must maintain independence and impartiality. I’m glad the EU is closely monitoring the situation in Albania to ensure accountability.
The role of anti-corruption agencies like SPAK is critical, but they must operate with transparency and due process. I hope the details of this case can be fully examined to uphold the rule of law.
Interesting to see the allegations of political persecution around Mayor Veliaj’s arrest. It’s important to get the full facts and understand if there were legitimate corruption charges or if this was indeed an attempt to undermine the rule of law.
You’re right, the details here seem murky. It’s good the EU Parliament is looking into this to ensure transparency and accountability.
Seems like there are competing claims about the Veliaj case, with accusations of ‘political persecution’ versus ‘legitimate corruption charges’. Important to get objective analysis from trusted sources to understand what’s really going on.
This situation highlights the importance of robust anti-corruption efforts, but also the need to ensure such efforts are not undermined by political interference or disinformation. Transparency is key.
Interesting to see the competing claims around the Veliaj case. It’s important we get the full facts to determine whether this was a legitimate corruption prosecution or an attempt at political persecution.
This situation highlights the need for robust, impartial institutions to tackle corruption, even at the highest levels of government. I’m glad to see the EU is closely monitoring developments in Albania.
The role of SPAK in Albania’s anti-corruption efforts is clearly a critical one. I’m curious to learn more about how they operate and what challenges they face in rooting out graft at high levels.
Good point. Anti-corruption agencies often have a tough job balancing enforcement with political pressures. Glad to see the EU is closely monitoring SPAK’s work.
Disinformation campaigns that try to misrepresent the statements of officials are concerning. It’s vital we rely on credible, objective sources to understand complex corruption issues like this one.
Corruption is a major challenge that requires independent, impartial institutions to tackle. I’m glad to see the EU closely monitoring SPAK’s work in Albania to ensure accountability and the rule of law.
It’s concerning to see attempts to misappropriate the statements of officials like MEP Schieder to push a particular political agenda. Disinformation campaigns undermine transparency and public trust.
Corruption is a major challenge for many countries. Kudos to SPAK for their work, but it’s vital they maintain independence and objectivity, without being swayed by political narratives or vested interests.
It’s concerning to see attempts to create an international narrative around the Veliaj case that may not align with the facts. I hope the details can be objectively examined to determine the legitimacy of the corruption charges.