The Democratic Party (PD) has filed a lawsuit in the Court of Tirana against Tirana’s Mayor Erion Veliaj, accusing him of repeated criminal defamation against Democratic Party Chairman Lulzim Basha.

The plaintiff commenced the action against Erion Veliaj, in the capacity of the leader of the Socialist Party campaign in Tirana, on the account of three slanders that aim to tarnish Mr. Basha’s reputation. Sources from the Court of Tirana said the plaintiff considers as defamation Erion Veliaj’s allegations that:

• The Democrat chairman became owner of three houses during the earthquake and pandemic crisis.

• The Democrat chairman has benefited during the period of disaster.

• The Democrat chairman has built extra storeys without permit.

“These untruths have the intention of damaging deliberately (Basha’s) reputation and image. Since Lulzim Basha is the opposition leader and Erion Veliaj is the leader of PS electoral campaign for the county of Tirana, he slanders to gain political credit for both himself and PS before the citizens”, the lawsuit claimed.