Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis commented on Fredi Beleri’s arrest in Himara last night.
On his Facebook account, Mitsotakis announces that he has also notified the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen on the matter.
“I informed the President about the arrest, based on non-existent charges of the candidate for mayor of Himara and member of the Greek National Minority, Fredi Beleri, two days before the election. Albania must realize that Greece and the EU are not going to accept the lack of rule of law and the protection of the rights of the Greek national minority,” wrote the Greek Prime Minister.
Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias also commented on the matter. He said that he had informed the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, as well as the Foreign Minister of Sweden, who holds the EU Presidency.
“The arrest of Fredi Beleri just two days ahead of the elections makes for a huge scandal if there is no incontestable proof,” wrote Dendias on Twitter.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has said the arrest of opposition mayoral candidate Fredi Beleri for vote buying is based on facts.
“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.
“Vote buying is a serious violation in our legislation and it’s a priority of all law enforcement institutions to fight it during election times. This goes for all citizens of the Republic of Albania, including our brothers and sisters of the Greek minority, who participate in our elections. The candidancy of Alfred Beleri doesn’t require special treatment. He is equal before the law, just like everybody else. It’s the prosecutors’ and jurors’ job to treat this case according to the evidence. We respectfully call upon our Greek friends in Athens to closely and patiently monitor this case, allowing the Albanian justice to do its job, without pressure or dividing messages. It’s best to keep Brussel informed, but we must also wait for the facts,” said Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka regarding the case.
Mayoral candidate of the “Together We Win” coalition, Fredi Beleri was arrested last night, by orders of the Prosecutor’s Office of Vlora. He is accused of vote buying.
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