According to the Durrës Lajm, the trial about the Veliera project has started in the Administrative Court.
Representatives of the Durrës Municipality, the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Environmental Directorate, construction companys Everest shpk, Fusha shpk, and representatives of the civil society were present at the session. The trial was held without the presence of the media.
The lawyer of the Ministry of Culture requested the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by civil society, pretending that this lawsuit is unlawful. This claim was strongly opposed by the civil society representative, lawyer Mirela Jorgo.
In the case filed by civil society at the administrative court – also filed at the district prosecutor’s office – demands the complete cancellation of the Veliera Square project. According to the civil society lawsuit, building this square is in full contradiction with the law on the protection of cultural heritage.
From the current situation at the square, it seems that the works are proceeding at a high pace and that the project is at a point of no return being that the tunnel on the former national road has been completed and the works are taking place in the lower part of it, where also the highest point of the square is expected to be.
The construction firm is continuing to set up a tall concrete structure just above the lowest point of the square. Archeologists have also left, after various tests they did in archeological zone A, discovering several tombs of different periods in the site.
The Court of Appeals has earlier decided to suspend the works in archeological zone A, the upper part of the square, where archeological discoveries have emerged. This is the same decision that the First Instance Court reached as well.
Currently, works on the Veliera Square are proceeding at rapid pace in the part before the harbor entry, and on the former national road replaced by the underground tunnel. The underground works have been finished, and work above the surface is continuing.
Although this major project for the city of Durrës has encountered major opposition by the civil society, the works have continued with high intensity on most parts of the square.
