Democratic Party scolded the mayor of Tirana, Erjon Veliaj, of favoring money laundering.

Chairman of DP’s Youth Forum Belind Kellici referred to the Global Initiative Network Report and said that 60% of construction investments in Tirana come from dirty money.

"Erion Veliaj came to the head of the Municipality of Tirana with the fraudulent promise that he would not give construction permits.

Today, 5 years later, Erion Veliaj has turned Tirana into the biggest money laundering machine, where it is estimated that, during the second and last term of this government, more than 1.6 billion euros have been laundered.

Erion Veliaj not only signed thousands of construction permits, but gave them to companies that, according to the accounts of international experts, have laundered money from drug trafficking and corruption.

The Global Initiative Network report estimates that 60% of construction investments in Tirana led by Erion Veliaj and, indirectly by Edi Rama, come from dirty money.

Foreign experts estimate that in Tirana alone, 1.6 billion euros have been invested in the construction permits, almost 1/3 of Albania's annual budget.

Tirana today is a city you hardly recognize, even if you have lived in the capital for a few years. The gardens have disappeared to be replaced by concrete monsters, laundering the money of organized crime and corrupt rulers. The demolition of the National Theater in the midst of the pandemic also serves the purpose of money laundering with the firm of Edi Rama and Erion Veliaj.

The fight against money laundering and organized crime is one of the main objectives of the Democratic Party.

The battle for a clean Albania is the battle of every Albanian. The battle for a country free from the chains of crime and corruption is what every hardworking Albanian expects. We are ready to win this battle,” Kellici said.