In an official communiqué, the Foreign Ministry of Greece has stated that the rejection of the request of the elected mayor of Himara Municipality, Fredi Beleri, to take the oath as mayor of this municipality, shows that the intention of the Albanian authorities is to remove him from the post of mayor. .
Greek Foreign Ministry: This refusal proves, beyond any doubt, that the intention of the Albanian authorities is to deprive him, without a final sentence and without being charged, of the office of mayor, in which he was democratically elected by citizens of the region.
The Greek Foreign Ministry adds that as a candidate for membership in the European family, "Albania must respect the rule of law and the presumption of innocence".
We would like to point out that the Special Court rejected today Fredi Beler's request to take part in the swearing in as the mayor of Himara. The ceremony was expected to take place on Tuesday (June 27) where the new Municipal Council of Himara, created after the May 14 local elections, will be constituted.
The elected mayor asked to participate in the ceremony, accompanied by police forces, and then return to the cell. The court assessed that such a request can be accepted itself in cases of death, marriage and exams. Beleri has been in the cell since May 12, where he is accused of election corruption.