Erion Veliaj's shadows in protest

Former Foreign Minister, Arta Dade, has publicly rejected the invitation of Socialist leader Edi Rama to participate in the event marking the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Socialist Party.

According to Dade, the SP has never been a force that organizes counter-protests with administrative pressure.

But what is hidden behind this refusal by the former minister?

Arta Dade is known as a supporter of Erion Veliaj, a long-time socialist.

Her son Alban Dabulla, who is also a media publisher, is a person connected to Erion Veliaj, has business and investment cooperation with the mayor of Tirana, who is facing 13 serious criminal charges.

On the day of the searches at Veliaj's house, Alban Dabulla is present with several lawyers at the house of the arrested mayor of Tirana. 

The scheme is clear.

From Durrës prison, Erion Veliaj has used Alban Dabulla, the son of former minister Arta Dade, as an instrument for the stance that the latter has chosen to publicly take towards the activities of the Socialists, precisely with the aim of harming Edi Rama.

This attack is in the wake of the attacks that Veliaj staged from his Durrës prison cell against Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Veliaj, through influencers, artists, and his supporters during the electoral campaign, is coming out to protest against Edi Rama, demanding the resignation of the prime minister, using these scenarios as a threat to release him from prison./ CNA

There have been 12 days of protests in the capital, which began after the publication of a video scandal where several private police officers raped a citizen during a protest in the village of Zvërnec, where a private entity had surrounded the territory and residents of the area had claims regarding ownership.

Then everything was channeled into protests in Tirana, with both truth and lies, but the protest has been continuing in the capital for 12 days.

Initially, it had to do with flamingos, Israelis, ownership, the sale of state land in Zvërnec, some of which were not true at all and were channeled into the demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Protest groups

The protest is attended by ordinary citizens, burdened and angry by 35 years of injustice, the transition from the policies of the DP to the policies of the SP.

There are those neo-Marxists and revolutionaries who also want Berisha in prison, even though the former prime minister is under investigation by SPAK, and they also want Rama in prison.

In the protest, beyond the citizens, there are small political parties like those of Qori, Lapaj or Agron Shehaj, there are legalists, ballists, democrats, leftists, different currents that participate.

They have now been joined, without any discussion, by the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who is in Durrës prison on 13 serious criminal charges.

Veliaj's schemes

Erion Veliaj has several organizational schemes for his supporters to incite the protest, to participate, perhaps with the sole purpose and bargaining as a threat to Prime Minister Rama, to get him released from prison.

But, beyond that, it seems that Veliaj's people, his instruments on the ground, are acting unstoppably and inciting protests against the prime minister.

Several small "Call Centers", which are used by Tirana Municipality officials and former or current directors, call citizens and ask them to participate in the protest, asking for their support.

The staff of the Municipality of Tirana has also received a confidential command. We only need to look at the square, where, beyond the citizens or the various political currents, we see employees of the municipality administration, dormitories or various enterprises, and low-ranking officials of the Municipality of Tirana participating in the protest.

Some of them say they go with a list of appeals. These are the first two schemes; calls through "Call Centers" and orders for staff to go and protest as massively as possible.

Veliaj's influencers

Public figures, people who have appeared on various shows, on "shows" like "Përputhen" or "Big Brother" and other shows, individuals made famous by "TikTok", social media personalities, some of whom are people paid by Erion Veliaj's brother, Arbër Veliaj, for various advertisements.

Arbër Veliaj of the company "Gogel" manages dozens of company advertisements, as CNA has reported in the case of IQOS, who were the main inspirers in the first days of the protest, were people who made constant calls to be present there.

One of them shouted during the protest, "Free Erion Veliaj" or carried a banner that read "Free the mayor of Tirana."

Influencers used on many occasions by Erion Veliaj. CNA has brought some of them.

Veliaj's artists, beyond influencers

There is another segment, that of "artists", people from the world of stage and screen "show", beyond influencers, artists and public figures, who have supported Erion Veliaj in campaigns, more exposed in the 2023 elections, with numerous messages, videos, posts and calls to vote for him, as he was the man who had changed Tirana a lot.

Those who once shouted "Lali, you will win Lali" are among the people who today shout "Rama in prison", "Down with the government", "Rama go", "Rama resign", etc.

It is also the part of several artists, showbiz personalities, or influencers, who showed solidarity with Erion Veliaj and ran to meet him first when he appeared in the Administrative Court, in a ridiculous lawsuit against SPAK prosecutor Ols Dado, whom he seeks to remove from office in order to dismiss his 13 serious criminal charges.

The "Veliaj" scheme against Rama

The "Call Center" or mini-"Call Center" controlled by the Municipality of Tirana, the municipality staff, influencers, artists and people from the world of "showbiz", the entire propaganda and electoral structure that was engaged in Erion Veliaj's campaign in 2023, some of them, the staff engaged in the protest in front of SPAK after his arrest in 2025, some of them strong supporters of Erion Veliaj to be released from prison in 2025, some of them supporters when he appeared in the Administrative Court, have been strongly engaged in the protest, in calling on people to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

These are facts that CNA has brought with photos, videos, and posts on dozens of occasions, and they are numerous and undisputed.

Everything is clear, legible, visible. No one is hiding anymore. Erion Veliaj has come out in protest in front of Rama with all his possible "batteries" to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Rama./ CNA

Some of the public figures, the so-called "VIPs", who today call for participation in the protest against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama, are the same "VIPs" who have gone after the mayor arrested on 13 charges for 5 serious criminal offenses, Erion Veliaj, supporting him during various campaigns, in front of the doors of SPAK, on ??social networks or by giving shows in the courts where the mayor goes to attack prosecutors.

The same names have participated in the protests organized against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama.

These VIPs that we see today in the anti-government protest are those who love Veliaj, who once sought votes for him, while now they make "patriotic" posts.

Among the protesters in the capital, individuals were seen who in the past have collaborated in promotional campaigns or public activities related to Erion Veliaj's close circle.

Those who went to kiss him and "shed tears" at the Administrative Court a few weeks ago are now calling for a protest.

From supporting Erion Veliaj, the man facing 13 charges for 5 serious electoral crimes, to participating in protests against Edi Rama, we are bringing you some of the "VIPs" in the protest against the government and Edi Rama:

Arjola Demiri

Ardit Cuni

Albana Osmani

Olta Gixhari

Isli Islam

Marsela Cibukaj

Albina Nanaj

Eranda Libohova

Evi Reci

Venera Lumani and Lind Islami

Blerina Bajko

For several days, a new wave of protests has begun, taking the defense of the Zvërnec area as a pretext. But what is emerging on the ground shows another reality, where critical media are being attacked and genuine pressure schemes are being used.

Currently, the media landscape is divided in reporting this news. Some media are pro-protest and pro-investment, but demanding that the protests remain political and not be used for other purposes. Other media are on the side of Edi Rama, supporting the investment and coming out against the protest. There are also those that take a stance against the prime minister, but at the same time are against the protest and pro-development. While another part positions itself against everyone: Rama, the protest and the investment itself.

However, beyond editorial stances, protesters have begun open provocations. They are going to the headquarters of political parties, violating the law and creating unnecessary tensions. The question that naturally arises is who is making these calls and who is hiding behind this organization.

According to ongoing reports by CNA , the front line of this movement are precisely the influencers who support the arrested mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj. It is no coincidence that the municipality staff, people close to Veliaj, as well as the influencers paid by him and his brother, Arbër Veliaj, are today the main supporters on the ground. Part of this scenario is also the psychological violence that is being exerted on actors or well-known public figures, who are blackmailed into participating in these rallies.

Even more telling is the fact that this group of protesters has also been joined by well-known figures from justice scandals. VIP escorts have suddenly become part of the protest. These are precisely the VIP escorts who emerged in the SPAK investigations, which were mentioned for illegal meetings with "strongmen" in prisons.

In this protest, such characters, whose initials are documented in the justice files for entering and leaving the cell, have found space and are being used as images. Among them are RR, AD, FH, SB, IA, E.Dh., I.Xh., as well as Xh.L. and JK. To maintain professional ethics, CNA has chosen to publish these characters only with initials and without photos, despite the fact that some of them have reacted or have participated in the protest.

The inclusion of these names in a supposedly environmental protest clearly shows the true essence of this organization and the interests of those who finance and support it for other political and criminal interests. /CNA

A protest whose slogan is "Zvërnec", but if you remove the name Zvërnec and name it "Coca-Cola" or "Redbull", it looks like a company's festive event, is being further encouraged by the Durrës prison and the staff of Mayor Erion Veliaj.

This "event" yesterday turned into a provocative situation with protesters marching to the headquarters of the two main parties in the country, clearly led by a Veliaj-Qori alliance.

This protest event also features the "hand" of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, who has been arrested for 5 serious criminal offenses. Erion Veliaj's people, his organizational groups in the municipality, have been involved in encouraging people to participate in this protest, reaching the point where some of the characters sponsored by Erion Veliaj and his brother, Arbër Veliaj, were shouting in the square "free Erion Veliaj".

CNA has made a simple observation, we collected posts from several public figures calling for protest, some direct, some manipulated and incited by commentators. Commentators who come from "call centers" and groups of individuals associated with both Arlind Qori and Erion Veliaj.

These commentators make numerous comments and send messages to singers and public figures, asking them to come out en masse in protest and call for participation, as well as to be physically present as much as possible at the rallies in front of the Prime Minister's Office.

Below we are bringing videos and photos for each character we have verified, who 3 years ago were Erion Veliaj's public supporters in the May 2023 local elections. They are individuals paid by Arbër Veliaj's companies and you can easily find them in IQOS advertisements.

Those who paid Arbër Veliaj for advertisements come out and call for protest. Those who supported Erion Veliaj 3 years ago to be re-elected mayor of Tirana, to continue his mission with corruption are calling for protest. Those who went to kiss him on the forehead and shed tears at the Administrative Court a few weeks ago, are now calling for protest.

Let's take Erion Veliaj's "loyalists" in turn.

Actress Olta Gixhari, just after leaving "Big Brother VIP Albania", "forgave" Erion Veliaj. She went public and called for a vote for the left. These days she has been protesting with her son. Who is Olta Gixhari protesting against? Against Edi Rama or is she asking for Erion Veliaj to be released?

Olta Gixhari in protest

Olta Gixhari in support of Veliaj

Personi tjetër, Ardit Çuni, e pamë në Gjykatën Administrative bashkë me Arjola Demirin. “U këputën në shpirt” për Zdromsin e tyre. Më poshtë keni fotot që bëjnë thirrje për protestë.

Arjola Demiri duke i puthur dorën Erion Veliajt

Arjola Demiri në mbështetje të protestës

Moderatori Isli islami, i cili paguhet nga Arbër Veliaj për reklamën e IQOS, bën thirrje për pjesëmarrje në protestë.

Moderatori Isli Islami në protestë

Isli Islami në reklamën për IQOS

Gazetarja Mira Kazhani në postimet e saj në rrjetet sociale ka bërë thirrje për pjesëmarrje në protestën e organizuar gjatë këtyre ditëve. Kujtojmë se Kazhani ka qenë një nga njerëzit pranë Veliajt. Sjellim në vëmendje këtu edhe rastin e 6 viteve më parë, ku u bë publike se Mira Kazhani mbante dhe një post në Bashkinë e Tiranës, si këshilltare tek Ujësjellës-Kanalizimet.

Mira Kazhani në mbështetje të protestës

Një tjetër figurë publike që ka dalë në mbështetje të protestës është këngëtarja Marsela Çibukaj.

Këngëtarja Marsela Çibukaj në mbështetje të protestës

Dhe kjo një tjetër mbështetëse e Erion Veliajt, madje aq sa disa vite më parë deklaronte se mburrej te miqtë e saj të huaj për punët e bëra nga kryebashkiaku i Tiranës.

“Çdo vit, sa herë që ata apo miqtë e mi italianë vijnë këtu, jam gjithmonë e më shumë krenare se i tregoj një rrugë që është bërë më mirë se vitin që shkoi, një çerdhe më afër shtëpisë se ç’ka qenë një vit më përpara. Kam qejf të mburrem para miqve të mi të huaj”, ka deklaruar këngëtarja në vitin 2021.

Marsela Çibukaj në mbështetje të Veliajt

Moderatorja Albana Osmani është një tjetër figurë publike e dalë në mbështetje të protestës.

Albana Osmani në mbështetje të protestës

Osmani gjithashtu një mbështetëse e Erion Veliajt. Le të kthehemi pas në kohë, vetëm një vit më parë, në periudhën kur Erion Veliaj u arrestua, Albana Osmani deklaronte se e mbështeste lalin në emër të parimeve.

“Si një qytetare e ndërgjegjshme dhe e paanshme politikisht, e cila nuk ka ndërtuar kurrë karrierën mbi interesat e politikës, qëndrimi im sot nuk buron nga përfitimi apo aleanca, por nga një parim thelbësor: drejtësia dhe integriteti nuk duhet të maten me impulsin e turmave, por me faktet dhe të vërtetën. Unë nuk i përkas asnjë force politike, nuk kam kërkuar e as përfituar ndonjë favor. Sot zgjedh të mbështes Lalin, jo si një akt besnikërie personale, por si një deklaratë të parimeve”, ka deklaruar Osmani pas arrestimit të Veliajt në vitin 2025.

Albana Osmani dhe Erion Veliaj

Below we are bringing other cases of people belonging to Erion Veliaj or paid by the advertising companies of his brother, Arbër Veliaj, who have called for support for the protest in recent days. CNA will continue to bring other names every day, people belonging to Erion Veliaj or paid by the companies of his brother, Arbër Veliaj, who also come out in support of the protest.

Tirana Municipal Councilor, Albina Nanaj

Tirana Municipal Councilor, Albina Nanaj

Singer Eranda Libohova in support of the protest

Singer Evi Reçi

Singer Evi Reçi in support of Veliaj

Singers Venera Lumani and Lindi Islami in support of Veliaj

Venera Lumani in support of the protest

Moderator Blerina Bajko in support of the protest

Moderator Blerina Bajko in support of Erion Veliaj

The protests of recent days related to the situation in Zvërnec have not gone without accusations and scenarios of their incitement for certain interests. Everything comes from a "machinery" of pressure that is being exerted by various groups of individuals, mainly on social networks, towards journalists, public figures, singers, actors, influencers and well-known people from various fields.

Continuous pressure carried out through messages and communications on social networks, through comments, private and public messages, demanding that public figures react in support of the protests and be present.

These constant pressures come from fake profiles, instigated by groups linked to the neo-communist Arlind Qori's "Bashke" Movement, from Erion Veliaj's staff, anonymous Call Centers, oppositionists tired of 13 years of efforts, as well as from other groups, who have chosen a method of unstoppable violence against public figures who join the protest and call for participation.

The reaction of some of the names known to the public may have been considered delayed, due to their efforts to obtain information about the event, which may have delayed them from publishing a reaction on their social media profiles. Each delay has also had its costs in attacks, accusations and insults on social media.

These forms of pressure are happening massively these days, seeking to support the protest in Tirana called 'Zvërneci', as an excuse, the goals are clearly different. The attacks come from individuals, among whom some are NGOs and environmentalists paid by SOROS, some are used by the imprisoned mayor Erion Veliaj, who is wandering in the cells of Durrës Prison, but also the secret service agencies of other Balkan countries.

Psychological violence against public figures has occurred more specifically on the platforms "Facebook", "Instagram" and "Tik-Tok", while the same act has also occurred with some of the media outlets in the country.

All the pressure and violence is linked to these individuals, who are taking advantage of this opportunity not only for the Zvërnec project, even though such a project does not exist, but also to use this type of mobilization for all sorts of other interests and purposes, from political to anti-national ones. /CNA