Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has responded to the statement of the spokesperson of the Government of Greece, regarding the case of Fredi Beleri’s arrest. In response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs condemns the statement, considering it inappropriate and ignoring the democratic reality of the rule of law in Albania.

“We regretfully followed the statement of the spokesperson of the Greek Government regarding the Beleri case. As we have continuously stated, publicly but also during the communications we have had with our Greek colleagues, such statements are inappropriate and ignore the democratic reality and the rule of law in Albania. The Government of Albania neither imprisons nor detains anyone, because Albania is a democratic country where the principle of separation of powers rules”, says the reaction.

The Foreign Ministry emphasizes that Beleri is subject to SPAK and GJKKO and that the Albanian Government does not comment on the actions of these two structures. The Government of Greece is also called upon to wait for the completion of the investigations and the Court’s decision regarding this matter.

“We emphasize on this occasion that the Albanian citizen with Greek nationality, Fredi Beleri, is subject to the Prosecutor’s Office and the Special Court against Organized Crime and Corruption, structures created by the Law Reform, which is the fruit of strategic cooperation with the US and the EU. The Albanian Government does not comment on the actions and decisions of these structures. This principle applies in the case of Mr. Beleri, as in the case of any other Albanian citizen, in Albania as well as in Greece or any democratic country in Europe and the world, therefore we invite the Government of Greece to do the same and wait, like us, for the Justice to do her job”, concludes the reaction.

Beleri was arrested on May 12, while the investigation against him had started on May 9 after the referral of the case by the Vlora police, and was supported by film footage and wiretaps after an undercover police agent intercepted the moment when Beleri’s associates gave 40,000 ALL for 8 votes.

In the elections of May 14, Beleri, the candidate of the Together We Win coalition was declared the winner in Himara Municipality against Jorgo Goro with a margin of 19 votes.

On June 26, the Municipal Council of Himara was constituted, but without the presence of Beleri, whose request by GJKKO to be present was rejected.

/a.p./