Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has formally called on Socialist Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla to establish a parliamentary investigative commission into what he describes as alleged threats and political pressure orchestrated by Prime Minister Edi Rama through Justice Minister Toni Gogu.

In a statement released Wednesday, November 11, Veliaj requested an investigation into whether his transfer from Durrës prison to Fier prison, as well as his pretrial detention conditions, were used as instruments of pressure to force him to admit responsibility for organizing protests in Tirana and resign as mayor.

Veliaj said he was prepared to testify under oath before Parliament, confront Justice Minister Toni Gogu, and present the evidence in his possession. He also called for Prime Minister Rama to be held to the same standards of accountability.

The mayor stressed that he had addressed his request to the parliamentary majority of his own political party, arguing that Parliament's oversight of the government must remain independent of political affiliation.

Veliaj also announced that he had informed the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, as well as the diplomatic corps in Albania. He further called for the immediate preservation of documentary and audiovisual evidence related to his allegations.

"I am not asking Parliament to take my statements for granted. I am asking it to investigate them. The mandate of a mayor derives from the vote of the citizens, and the citizens' vote cannot become an object of political blackmail," Veliaj said.

The requested investigation would place the allegations of political interference and the circumstances surrounding Veliaj's detention under parliamentary scrutiny. The claims remain allegations and would need to be examined through an independent investigation.