Mayors of Athens and Thessaloniki, Kostas Bakoyannis and Konstantinos Zervas, lent their voices to a rally organized by the Greek minority in Albania's Himare on Monday evening. Their collective call resonated for the release of the city's elected mayor, Fredi Beleri, who remains imprisoned in Tirana.
Among the attendees was European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas, whose pre-recorded message underscored the significance of the rally.
The detainment of Beleri on May 12, under allegations of voter bribery, occurred merely two days before his election as Himare's mayor. Despite the absence of formal charges, Beleri's attempts to secure his release through appeals to Tirana courts have been rejected. Greece has vehemently protested his prolonged detention to Albania, European authorities, and other international bodies.
The timing of the rally, held on August 14, marked the culmination of a three-month grace period, within which an elected mayor must assume office or prompt new elections.
The event, organized by the Greek National Minority organization 'Omonoia,' was attended by Greek individuals hailing from the region and Greece. Members of Albanian opposition parties also participated, united in protest against the protracted detention of the elected Himare mayor. Their collective sentiment was that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's motivations were politically driven.
Schinas, in his video message, urged Albania to abandon an unproductive strategy, asserting that it hindered the nation's European aspirations. He emphasized that although time had passed, rectifying what he termed "a deeply un-European" situation was still attainable. Schinas declared that the European Union could only support Beleri's swearing-in and resumption of his duties.
Speaking at the rally, Bakoyannis affirmed his presence as a testament to freedom and democracy. As the mayor of Athens and president of the B40 Balkan Cities Network, he emphasized that democracy must never be incarcerated. He championed the unwavering voice of the citizens, advocating against the falsification of the people's will. Bakoyannis reiterated that Himare unequivocally possesses a mayor named Fredi Beleri. Amid Albania's pursuit of European Union membership, he asserted the importance of upholding the rule of law and European principles.
Mayor Zervas of Thessaloniki echoed his region's support, revealing that he had dispatched letters to sister cities worldwide detailing the Beleri case from Sidney to San Francisco. Zervas conveyed that comprehending the reasons behind Fredi's ordeal was imperative to thwart any ignorance about the threats to democracy in this corner of the world. Defending Beleri's rights was synonymous with safeguarding democracy and the interests of the Greek National Minority, he affirmed.
Prominent leaders of the Greek minority and notable Greek figures, including New Democracy MPs Kostas Gioulekas, Vassilis Giogiakas, and Igoumenitsa Mayor Giannis Lolos, added their voices to the event. Delivered in Greek and Albanian, the event concluded peacefully and without incident.
