The arrest of Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara in Albania, continues to create tensions in the Albanian-Greek relationship.

Angelos Syrigos, a member of the governing party in the Greek parliament, visited Beleri at the detention hospital on Friday.

He emphasized to the media that the continued detention of Beleri and his prevention from taking office as the mayor of Himara would have serious negative implications for the relationship between the two countries and could also impact Albania’s progress towards European Union integration.

The Albanian government has emphasized that the principles of judicial independence must be respected, and they await the legal process to unfold.

After being in detention for three months on charges of vote buying, Fredi Beleri, who emerged victorious in the local elections held on May 14 in Himara, was visited at the detention hospital by Greek New Democracy Party’s Member of Parliament, Angelos Syrigos.

Beleri, representing the “Together We Win” coalition and a part of the Party for Human Rights advocating for the Greek minority, was apprehended by the police post-midnight at his restaurant. According to the prosecution, it was a case of an in-flagrante arrest, alleging his involvement in offering and providing money for vote buying in collaboration with others.

However, Greek MP Syrigos argued that Albania should uphold the principle of the presumption of innocence for its citizens and allow Beleri to be inaugurated as the elected mayor. He stated that Beleri’s detainment violates his civil rights.

Syrigos stated that his visit to the elected mayor of Himara was on behalf of the Greek government and the New Democracy Party.

“Albanian authorities’ failure to take the necessary steps to either release Mr. Beleri or permit his inauguration poses a significant risk of his removal from the mayor’s office. This situation can severely deteriorate the relationship between the two nations,” Syrigos noted.

He stressed that adherence to the rule of law, the presumption of innocence for an elected mayor, and respect for civil rights are pivotal issues being scrutinized seriously by the European Union. These factors could potentially impede Albania’s journey towards EU integration and ongoing negotiations.

“For both us and the European Union, it is difficult to comprehend why an elected individual who hasn’t undergone a trial cannot assume office and take the oath. This holds significant gravity for us and extends beyond mere imprisonment. Among 31 suspected cases of electoral corruption, Beleri remains in custody,” Syrigos expressed.

The arrest of opposition candidate Fredi Beleri, a mere two days before the local elections on May 14 in Himara, has ignited a dispute in relations between Tirana and Athens. Beleri represents the Party for Human Rights, which champions the rights of the Greek minority in Albania.

In response to Greece’s diplomatic inquiries, Prime Minister Edi Rama took to social media following Beleri’s arrest by the prosecution, emphasizing the need to respect judicial independence. He urged patience to allow the presentation of evidence and the justice system’s pronouncements, urging everyone to avoid hasty political conclusions.

Rama added that this situation serves as a significant test for justice concerning elections. It highlights the necessity of proving any law violations and ensuring that any arrest is legally justified.

The Central Election Commission has entrusted Beleri with the mandate to lead Himara after his narrow victory against Socialist candidate and previous mayor Jorgo Goro in the May 14 elections.

The head of Himara’s municipal council was selected as a representative of the Socialist Party, which commands the majority of councilors. This decision came one day after the Special Court dismissed Beleri’s appeal to participate in the inaugural meeting and take the oath.

Both the First Instance Special Court for Corruption and Organized Crime and the Special Court’s Appeal have rejected Beleri’s requests for a reduction in detention measures, thereby maintaining his detention until the trial, since the arrest is related to the charge of vote buying, caught in the act.