Diplomatic scandal: Albania’s ambassador to Austria accused of plagiarized master’s thesis and possible secret agent past

Vienna/Tirana – The appointment and tenure of Albanian Ambassador to Austria, Fate Velaj, have been surrounded by a storm of accusations ranging from plagiarism and welfare fraud to purchased academic titles and possible intelligence service connections.

Concerns prior to appointment

According to diplomatic sources, before Velaj assumed his post in Vienna, the Austrian Foreign Ministry raised doubts about his qualifications, dual citizenship, and private business activities. An internal verbal note was sent to the Albanian side requesting a different candidate – but Velaj was appointed nonetheless.

Plagiarism in master’s thesis

Renowned plagiarism expert Dr. Stefan Weber described Velaj’s 2006 master’s thesis, “Good Morning, Balkan,” as not only copied but also failing to meet minimal academic standards. He discovered parts taken from a work by Emil Brix, director of the Diplomatic Academy Vienna, where the term “Central Europe” was simply replaced with “Southeast Europe.”

Welfare benefits despite millions

Austrian detective Vera Dumser documented that Velaj received social welfare benefits in Austria while declaring assets worth 1.2 million euros in Albania. She claims this is a clear case of welfare fraud. Additionally, he is suspected of sheltering a criminally convicted relative in the embassy.

Purchased titles and questionable honors

Investigations indicate that Fate Velaj may have purchased academic titles from the private university “Kristal” and received honors such as the “Golden Badge of Honor of the Republic,” which, according to Vera Dumser, require thorough verification. There are also suspicions of corruption and misuse of political funds for personal gain.

Traces of intelligence services

Former agents of the Albanian intelligence service suggest that Velaj’s free movement abroad during the communist era would not have been possible without ties to foreign intelligence. The mention of his father’s studies in Russia has further fueled suspicions of possible connections with the former Yugoslav secret service.

Political pressure in Austria

Austria’s Foreign Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, faces pressure from the opposition to immediately dismiss Velaj and to open a parliamentary investigation into his appointment process. If the accusations are proven, lawsuits and a vote of no confidence against the minister herself may follow.

From “donkey to knight”

The late journalist Kastriot Myftaraj ironically described Velaj’s receipt of the decoration in 2014 as “the moment the donkey became a knight.” He recalled that at the ceremony, Prime Minister Edi Rama supposedly whispered to Velaj, “The donkey deserved this more than you.”

From plagiarism and financial fraud to suspicions of dark connections, the Fate Velaj case has become a diplomatic scandal with possible repercussions in both Tirana and Vienna. The pressing question now is not if, but when, he will be removed from his post.

"KORÇA BOOM"