Beleri should take oath despite pre-trial detention, PM says
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reiterated Greece’s stance regarding Fredi Beleri, the mayor-elect of Himare in southern Albania, emphasizing that Beleri should be allowed to take his oath of office despite being in pre-trial detention.
Speaking to the press before a meeting between EU leaders and Western Balkan nations in Tirana on Monday, Mitsotakis expressed his intention to raise the matter with his Albanian counterpart, Edi Rama.
“Our position is very clear. I have no intention nor is it my job to intervene in the procedures of the independent Albanian justice,” Mitsotakis told reporters.
“But Fredi Beleri has the right to take the oath even if he is held in pretrial detention. I will make this absolutely clear to Mr Rama and I hope we will be able to resolve this issue amicably,” he stated.
Beleri has been in detention since May on charges of alleged vote buying, shortly before his election as mayor. His trial is set to commence at a specialized anti-corruption court in Tirana on Tuesday.
