The Albanian Special Prosecutor’s Office for Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has brought further charges against Ajola Xoxa, the wife of the recently arrested mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.

According to the news portal Syri.net, Xoxa was officially informed on Monday about new investigations into financial crimes.

Allegations: money laundering, corruption, and concealed income

According to official sources, Xoxa is now suspected of concealing income and of being involved in an alleged systematic network for diverting public funds. The new investigations are based on her ongoing court order to report regularly to the public prosecutor’s office.

As reported by Euronews Albania, an unnamed SPAK investigator said that the findings so far pointed to a “complex, systemic system for diverting public funds into private hands.”

Payments from public coffers – via NGOs and companies

The investigation focuses on several private companies owned by Xoxa, which are said to have received payments from the Tirana city administration and other local authorities over a period of several years. These funds are said to have flowed through supposedly non-profit organizations and third-party companies – with the alleged aim of misappropriating public funds.

SPAK is investigating suspicions that Xoxa and Veliaj jointly operated a “sophisticated network” that diverted municipal funds into private assets through tenders, NGO projects, and subcontracts.

Political explosiveness and international relevance

Political scientist Idrizi Lika from the University of Tirana told Balkan Insight that, if the allegations are confirmed, this could be one of the biggest corruption cases in recent Albanian history.

“The scale of the allegations could herald a new chapter in the fight against corruption – especially under the jurisdiction of SPAK, which has gained significant enforcement power in recent years.”

Xoxa’s lawyers have not yet commented publicly on the new allegations. Erion Veliaj, once considered a rising star of the Socialist Party and a possible candidate for prime minister, remains in custody.

EU enlargement under pressure

The case also has European relevance: the fight against corruption is a key criterion for Albania’s EU accession negotiations. Representatives of the European Commission have repeatedly emphasized that independent judicial bodies and transparent administration are prerequisites for further integration.

In light of the new evidence, SPAK is expected to expand its investigations, possibly to include other high-ranking officials or beneficiaries of the alleged network.

Conclusion

The new charges against Ajola Xoxa increase the pressure on Albania’s political elite. The case is becoming a litmus test for SPAK’s ability to enforce the law and for the country’s credibility in the European context.