Prime Minister Edi Rama has commented the arrest of opposition mayoral candidate Fredi Beleri for alleged vote buying.

“The arrest of opposition candidate for Himara, Fredi Beleri by order of the Prosecutor’s Office, is a big challenge to the judiciary just a few days ahead of the elections. This means that the violation of law from his side must be based on proof and his arrest is legally motivated! Our battle with that candidate has nothing to do with the investigations or the Prosecutor’s conclusions. So, by respecting the full independence of the justice institutions, I call on everybody not to rush in coming out with political conclusions, but to patiently wait to hear from justice,” wrote Rama in his Twitter account.

The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Dendias contacted the Prime Minister of Albania after earlier informing the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis about the issue.

Fredi Beleri, mayoral candidate from the “Together We Win” coalition for the municipality of Himara was arrested last night.