The first substantive court hearing in the case against Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj was scheduled to take place today, marking the start of proceedings involving Veliaj and 29 other defendants.

According to sources of the albaniandailynews.com, prosecutor Ols Dado will represent the prosecution in the hearing, while Altin Dumani will not be present.

Hoxha also reported that Veliaj himself and his wife, Ajola Xoxa, were absent from the session.

Presiding judge Ëngjëllushe Tahiri stated that the General Directorate of Prisons had been notified about the start of the hearing regarding Veliaj. The mayor submitted a written declaration saying he did not wish to attend the session.

“I, the defendant Erion Veliaj, declare that I do not wish to appear at the hearing,” the statement read.