The GJKKO (Special Court of First Instance for Corruption and Organized Crime) has sentenced the elected mayor of Himara municipality, Fredi Beleri, to 2 years in prison.

The decision was taken by the court after a session that lasted for several hours.

Beleri is accused of buying votes and was arrested 2 days before the May 14 elections, while SPAK( Special Prosecutor’s Office ) had requested 2 years and 6 months in prison for him.

Also, the Special Prosecutor’s Office had requested 2 years in prison for his friend Pandeli Kokaveshi, who due to his health condition was sentenced to 6 years in prison, converted to 3 years of probation.

Also present at the session were the head of PBDNJ, Vangjel Dule and the representative of the Greek Embassy.

Just days before democratic elections were held in Himara, the Albanian authorities arrested Fredi Beleri – a member of the Greek minority, who was standing for election as mayor of the city – along with his associates.