Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has requested permission to attend the National Assembly of Albania’s ruling Socialist Party (SP), scheduled for November 14.

In an official letter sent today from the pre-trial detention facility in Fier, Veliaj addressed the request to Socialist Party Secretary-General Blendi Klosi and the prosecutor handling his case at the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK).

Veliaj is seeking authorization to attend the meeting in person or, alternatively, participate via videoconference.

In his request, Veliaj argues that his pre-trial detention does not deprive him of his political and statutory rights as a member of the National Assembly, the party’s Presidency, and the governing structures of the Socialist Party in Tirana.

He is asking to be allowed to follow the discussions, address the assembly, submit proposals, and take part in decision-making, maintaining that restrictions on his freedom of movement do not automatically suspend his political rights.

Veliaj has also called on SPAK to urgently review his request and coordinate with prison authorities to facilitate his participation.

In the letter, he stresses that he is not seeking a change or suspension of his detention measure, but rather the opportunity to exercise his political rights within the legal restrictions imposed by his pre-trial detention.