Albanian Ambassador Fate Velaj is once again at the center of a political scandal. The list of allegations against him is long, ranging from plagiarism and dubious business dealings to alleged social security fraud. While the new Albanian Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali is under pressure to act, leading Austrian politicians such as Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler and BM Meinl-Reisinger are also coming under increasing criticism.

Months of silence: The Velaj case swept under the carpet

For months, the Albanian Foreign Ministry tried to ignore the allegations against Fate Velaj. But new revelations are bringing the affair back into the spotlight. As reported by Faß ohne Boden (FOB), exxtra24, and Albanian online magazines, Velaj is said to be continuing to conduct business activities in Austria despite clear legal prohibitions. Particularly controversial: According to a verbal note, Velaj had to renounce his Austrian citizenship and cease all commercial activities in Austria before taking office in Vienna. Nevertheless, he recently published his book “Kreuztanne” in German and is organizing readings. The question of how these earnings are declared and taxed remains unanswered.

Babler under fire: Laudatory speech for the “scandal ambassador”

An event on September 23, at which Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler is to give a laudatory speech for Velaj, is causing additional political controversy. The event is officially supported by the Ministry of Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sport, as well as the municipality of Traiskirchen. Critics accuse Babler of legitimizing the controversial ambassador with this gesture. “After his controversial trip to New York, this is the next politically explosive episode,” comments an opposition politician.

The question of why a high-ranking politician like Babler is publicly supporting a diplomat with such a troubled past is causing outrage. “This is no longer just about a book, but about the credibility of Austrian politics,” said a spokesperson for the opposition. The opposition is also calling on BM Meinl-Reisinger to take a stand.

New Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali under pressure

Pressure is also mounting in Albania. The new Foreign Minister, Elisa Spiropali, faces a difficult task: Her predecessor, Igli Hasini, had apparently ignored the allegations against Velaj and kept him in office despite numerous scandals. Hasini’s statement during a trip to Vienna was particularly cynical: “If you offer Fate money, he’ll do anything.” This remark caused outrage and casts a dark light on the personnel policy of the Albanian Foreign Ministry.

Spiropali must now decide whether to recall Velaj or continue to ignore the allegations. Representatives of the Albanian diaspora in Vienna are openly calling for the ambassador’s immediate recall: “This is the only way to maintain credible bilateral relations.” Her decision is being closely watched not only in Albania but also in Austria.

Opposition demands clarification

The Austrian opposition sees the Velaj case as a symptom of a larger problem. “The list of allegations against this ambassador is so long that it is incomprehensible why he remains in office,” said an opposition spokesperson. The public’s patience is at an end, and clear answers are finally needed – from both the Albanian and Austrian governments.

The long list of allegations against Fate Velaj

The allegations against Albanian ambassador Fate Velaj are numerous and serious. They cast a bad light not only on him, but also on the institutions that have kept him in office. Here is an overview of the most important allegations:

• Secret service past: Velaj is said to have had close ties to the Albanian secret services in his home country. This past raises questions about his integrity and his role as a diplomat.
• Dubious title purchases: According to reports, Velaj acquired academic titles at the notorious “Krystal University,” an institution that has been criticized in the past for questionable practices and lack of academic standards.
• Plagiarism allegations: Particularly embarrassing is the allegation that Velaj’s master’s thesis consists entirely of plagiarism. Renowned plagiarism expert Dr. Weber stated, “I have rarely seen such a poor piece of work with consistent plagiarism across 40 pages.”
• Criminal connections: Particularly controversial is the role of Velaj’s sister-in-law, who according to reports was involved in criminal activities. She is said to have found refuge in the embassy in Vienna, which fuels suspicions of abuse of office.
• Social security fraud: There are indications that Velaj may have received social benefits in Austria, even though he earns a high income as ambassador. His officially disclosed income in Albania is €1.7 million—a sum that is disproportionate to his activities.
• Violation of legal requirements: According to a verbal note, Velaj had to renounce his Austrian citizenship and cease all commercial activities in Austria before taking office in Vienna. Nevertheless, he recently published his book “Kreuztanne” in German and is organizing readings. The question of how this income is declared and taxed remains unanswered.

A bottomless pit?

The Fate Velaj affair is turning into a political minefield. While the accusations are growing louder, Austrian politicians seem unable to find a clear line. It remains to be seen whether the new Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali will take action. One thing is clear, however: the public’s patience is at an end.

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Credits: APA & Wikipedia