Today's decision by Albania's Central Election Commission to disqualify Fredi Beleri even before he was sworn in as Mayor of Himarë represents an unprecedented practice and signals the foreshadowed outcome of a process filled with questions concerning fundamental principles of the rule of law.
Greece had in a timely manner expressed its grave concern regarding the deprivation of the presumption of innocence, the integrity of the evidentiary process, the prohibition of swearing-in, and the disproportionate sentence imposed, as well as the fact that the Municipality of Himarë has been governed for a year by unauthorized individuals.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the obligation of the Albanian authorities to take all necessary measures to enable Mr. Beleri, now an elected member of the European Parliament, to attend its proceedings, starting with the Plenary Session on July 16 in Strasbourg.
July 5, 2024