Greek FM Gerapetritis condemns repeat rejection of Beleri’s appeal for release from Tirana jail

Issuing a statement on the ministry's official website, Gerapetritis said that this latest decision and all the previous ones by Albanian courts "essentially prevent Beleri from his right to be sworn in and assume the duties bestowed on him by the people of Himare."

Greek Foreign Affairs Minister George Gerapetritis on Wednesday condemned the Tirana Supreme Court’s rejection of an appeal by Himare Mayor Fredi Beleri for his conditional release from a Tirana jail.

Issuing a statement on the ministry’s official website, Gerapetritis said that this latest decision and all the previous ones by Albanian courts “essentially prevent Beleri from his right to be sworn in and assume the duties bestowed on him by the people of Himare.”

This is negative development, he added, and a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the rule of law, which Albania should respect and implement without deviation, if it wishes to become a member of the European family.

“We urge the Albanian government to take the relevant administrative or judicial action and ensure that Beleri is sworn-in, either inside or outside the prison,” stressed Gerapetritis.

The ethnic Greek politician Fredi Beleri won the mayoral race in Himare, southern Albania, on May 14, two days after he was detained on May 12 on allegations of bribing voters.