Greek Bar Associations delegation visits Fredi Beleri in Durrës prison

A delegation of the plenary of presidents of Greek Bar Associations visited Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himare, at a prison in the Albanian city of Durrës on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Greek lawyers expressed their solidarity with Beleri, noting that they would support him through his legal struggle in every feasible way. Beleri was detained in May by Albanian authorities on suspicion of voter fraud, which he has denied.

Beleri is held without formal charges made against him.

The Greek delegation also met with Archbishop of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania Anastasios, and later with Greek Ambassador to Albania Konstantina Kamitsi.

The delegation was headed by the president of the plenary of presidents of Greek Bar Associations Dimitris Vervessos, and accompanied by Albanian MP Vangjel Dule (Vangelis Doules).

Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek, was detained by Albanian authorities on suspicion of voter fraud, which he has denied. Beleri is held without formal charges made. Despite the allegations, the 51-year-old firmly refutes the accusations.

His arrest, which occurred in the lead-up to the local elections in Albania, has sparked tensions between Greece and Albania.

Athens has taken a firm stance, indicating that it may impede Albania’s European Union accession aspirations if the elected mayor is not released and granted the opportunity to formally assume his position by taking the oath of office.

Beleri was detained on May 12 after he was elected mayor of Himara on May 14. His repeated appeals lodged with the Tirana courts have been rejected.

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