GJKO has made a decision on Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara, sentencing him to two years in prison for election corruption.
SPAK had requested the imprisonment of Beler for two years and six months.
Meanwhile, Pandeli Kokaveshi, an associate of Beler, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, but his prison sentence has been suspended and he will remain on probation for three years.
Beleri has considered the political process, while his case has created constant tension between Athens and Tirana, influencing the process of negotiations between Albania and the European Union.
The Greek side has been quite vocal in defense of Beler, while the Albanian government has demanded that the decisions of justice be respected.
Beleri said in court that there is no evidence for him and that he will seek justice to the end.
“These conclusions cannot be taken into account, the file has no facts, so I did not ask for a summary trial. All the findings of the Prosecutor’s Office are opposed by my lawyers. Sooner or later, the truth will come out one day. I have been tapped 24 hours a day, the evidence does not match. At the same time that Arseni is said to have spoken to me, he was at the Vlora police station. The prosecution should have verified the facts. The Court of Appeal accepted all the prosecution’s requests and none of mine. One of them was to requested information from the court of Vlora. This is a political issue, with me all principles were violated, including the presumption of innocence. Competences were exceeded. The prosecutor’s request for 2.6 years in prison has no logic.
He requested probation for two mayors. Every time there is an election, the result will be the same, Himarjots are not stupid. It is unfair to give this issue a patriotic meaning. I am confident, I don’t feel guilty. Sooner or later I will find justice. Today you have to say no to the pressure of the government, others are passers-by and loyal to the party. History will judge the two prosecutors”, Beleri declared in court.
