TIRANA, May 14 – The Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has reacted again to the arrest of the ‘Together We Win’ coalition candidate for mayor of Himare, southern Albania, inhabited by Greek minority, Fredi Beleri.
Mitsotakis described Beleri’s arrest as unacceptable and warned in harsh tones that there will be significant consequences in Greek-Albanian relations, as long as this attitude from Tirana will continue. “It is unacceptable. It is unthinkable that he will be put in prison two days before the elections,” the Greek Prime Minister said.
Mitsotakis announced that Greece will always remain a supporter of the Greek national minority and that he has made it clear to the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, that “in this matter we do not accept concessions for the rule of law”. Among other things, he warned the Rama government that if such a policy continues, it will affect bilateral relations and Albania’s path towards Europe.
“As Prime Minister of Greece, I visited Himara some time ago, where I emphasized that Greece will remain a supporter of our ethnic minority. Let Albania know that this will affect our bilateral relations, but also Albania’s path towards Europe. I will not tolerate such attitudes towards our ethnic minority,” he said.
Fredi Beleri is accused of buying 8 votes for 40,000 ALL, while he is in prison in Tirana, meanwhile the case is in the hands of special prosecution for serious crimes SPAK.
In the meantime, it is to be seen which will be the result of the voting for Beleri on May 14 as despite being in detention he is a candidate for the mayoral seat in Himara municipality. /argumentum.al
