Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias reiterated his call towards Albanian authorities to set Fredi Beleri free.

He was the winning candidate of the “Together We Win” coalition in the Municipality of Himara, but was arrested two days ahead of the elections, accused of vote buying.

The Greek diplomat says he does not understand why Beleri is still in custody, as he threatened that this situation could seriously affect the relations between Albania and Greece.

“We are not pressuring anyone, we want friendship, but not at any cost,” emphasized Dendias.

Furthermore, the Greek minister said he will travel to Brussel on Monday, to participate in the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union, where he will raise the issue of the arrest of the mayor of Himara.

“Since it is a very serious case, I will be in Brussel Monday morning. We will have a lunch with the foreign ministers of the Western Balkans. The issue must be raised in the Council of Ministers. It is not every day that a mayoral candidate is arrested 48 hours ahead of elections and is kept in custody. Why are they keeping him there? What is the risk element that requires such a prolonged detention? These are big questions,” concluded Dendias.