The court of Fier has released on bail Fredi Beleri, the former mayor of the municipality of Himara, who was recently elected as a member of the European Parliament in Greece.
The former elected mayor of the municipality of Himara, was in the cell since May 12, 2023, two days before the elections, after he was accused of corruption in the elections.
We recall that in the month of July, the court approved the request, giving Fredi Beler permission to go to Strasbourg to be sworn in as a member of the European Parliament.
Arrest of Freddy Beller
Beleri, who was arrested two days before the last local elections in Albania on charges of vote buying, was found guilty by the Special Court and his conviction was confirmed on appeal.
Although arrested, Beleri won the elections in Himara in May 2023 and was elected mayor until July 2024, when after the final decision of the Special Court of Appeal, the Central Election Commission declared his mandate invalid.
Because of the arrest, Beleri could not take the oath as mayor and the court refused to allow him to take office.
During the time that Beleri was facing charges in Albania, he received official support from Athens and the party of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated him on its list as a member of the European Parliament. Beleri was declared the winner, while he was sentenced by the Special Court of First Instance in Albania.
