The Greek media have written about the 2-year prison sentence of the elected mayor of Himara, Fredi Beleri, on the charge of buying votes in the May 14 elections.

The daily Kathimerini has devoted an article to the decision of the GJKKO (Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime), where it is said that this is a decision of Prime Minister Edi Rama to cut off the bridges of cooperation with Greece.

Kathimerini article:

The choice of the prime minister of Albania Edi Rama to cut the bridges with Athens is reflected by yesterday’s preliminary decision of the court that sentences the elected mayor of Himara Municipality, Fredi Beleri, to two years in prison.

During his statement yesterday, Beleri, locked in a glass cage since the beginning of the trial, was harsh towards the Rama government, describing his trial as something that could not be done in a European country in 2024.

The Foreign Ministry of Greece demands a fair and objective trial of Fredi Beleri in the second instance, after yesterday’s first instance sentence against the elected mayor of Himara.

However, behind the careful diplomatic language of Athens lies a diplomatic impasse, which is driving Tirana even further away from Athens.

Beleri’s sentence was a discounted development and reflects the suffocating control of the Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama in Justice, as is also evident from the case of the judge of the Special Court against Corruption, which was decided there even though she was initially suspended by international observers.

It is about what Greece will do in the next period and at the EU level, such as the decision to imprison Mr. Beleri for two years in prison, while the process is continuing in the Court of Appeal where the elected mayor of Himara will appeal soon. This will extend the suspension, avoiding, of course, the most essential of the conditions imposed by Greece, its oath before the final decision.

The involvement in a case with “deep Balkan” characteristics, such as the one directed by the Rama government against Mr. Beleri, forces Athens to consume another diplomatic capital, even at a time when EU priorities are in a different direction.

Concretely yesterday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that “the measurement of punishment for not leaving prison prevents the elected mayor from taking office even today and keeps the defeated candidate at the head of the municipality, despite the clear decision of the court that was decided months ago his immediate removal. The selective application of court decisions is not in accordance with the principles of the rule of law. The Greek government will closely monitor the case and expects a fair and objective judgment at the second level of jurisdiction.”

During yesterday’s session, Beleri was an accuser of the Rama government, describing his trial as something “that can happen once and for all, but not in a European country in 2024, where we are not officially in a dictatorship”.

Fredi Beleri focused at nine points:

1. First, in the glass cage in which he has been locked since the beginning of the trial. “In fact, the cage not only breaks you psychologically, but also practically prevents you from communicating with the lawyer,” he said.
2. Secondly, in the principle of proportionality, which is violated since he is kept in custody for a time (299 days) inversely proportional to the major criminals.
3. Thirdly, in violation of his presumption of innocence, as he was not allowed to perform any duties other than those related to the trial.
4. Fourth, to judge Irena Gjoka. “On December 24, 2002, this particular judge together with her then husband attempted to enter Greece from Kakavia using a forged Greek visa with which she attempted to show that she is of Greek origin. She was arrested for forgery and deported”, said Beleri, underlining that “in other countries her self-exclusion would be self-evident”.
5. Fifth, to the witness paid by the police. “During the trial, we repeatedly told the court that the police paid the only prosecution witness. What would have happened in other European countries? The police would be formally asked if what we said was true and proof of the witness payment would be required. But you never asked this question to the police,” he pointed out.
6. Sixth, on the forged copy of his criminal record.
7. Seventh, in an alleged photo of him with the prosecution witness, where it is not known who he is.
8. Eighth, in the phone records, which prove that he and the only prosecution witness Arsen Rama were in different areas of the country on May 8-11, so it is impossible that he could approach them personally.
9. Regarding the unequal criminal treatment, since in the Albanian municipal elections of 2023 there were four other similar cases, but only that of Mr. Beleris resulted in the imprisonment of the elected president.

“The request of the prosecution is obviously not aimed at justice. His only intention is to sentence me to prison for as long as it takes the prime minister to hold new elections in Himare. Mr. Prosecutor can proudly send his proposal to his political superiors, i.e. the orderers of this trial and tell them: ‘My mission was successfully completed!'” concluded Beleri.

The ND brings the case to the EPP:

New Democracy added to the agenda of the political conference of the European People’s Party (EPP), which meets today and tomorrow in Bucharest, a draft resolution in which some suggestions are made to Tirana on the Beleri issue.

The draft resolution talks about the violation of the presumption of innocence of Mr. Beleri, while also condemning “the actions of the Albanian government towards a mayor who belongs to an ethnic minority” as a movement against European values.

The resolution also includes the firm line of Athens in recent months, on which is based the completely contemptuous attitude of the official Tirana towards “the rule of law, fundamental rights, the rights of the Greek national minority and above all towards the Community Acquis, which creates a political gap between Albania and the EU”.

The draft also notes the decision of the Court against Corruption of Albania, where Mr. Beleri’s request for the oath as mayor is rejected and it is accepted that it is problematic that his defeated opponent still continues to remain in office.