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The appeal refuses to change the measure for Beleri, VOA: Greek authorities are using different means to influence the process

The appeal refuses to change the measure for Beleri, VOA: Greek authorities are

In Albania, the Special Court of Appeal rejected today another request of the elected mayor of Himara Municipality, Fredi Beleri, to change the security measure against him.

Today's decision leaves Mr. Beleri in custody again, who was arrested two days before the May 14 local elections on suspicion of electoral corruption.

Last week, the Special Prosecutor's Office announced the completion of the investigations and the sending for trial of the case, which provoked a strong clash between Tirana and Athens. The Albanian Prime Minister has repeatedly stated that he cannot accept interference in the justice system.

While the Greek authorities are using various diplomatic and legal means to influence the process, threatening to block Albania's journey towards membership in the European Union.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Tirana during the EU Western Balkans meeting in December 2022

Yesterday, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared that "bilateral relations with Albania have been overshadowed by the case of Fredi Beleri's imprisonment".

Today, in addition to the Greek ambassador in Tirana, there were two Greek lawyers and the president of Lawyers Without Borders to attend the hearing at the Special Court of Appeal. In a press conference, they stated that in the case of Mr. Beleri, there is a violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and that his detention is, according to them, "disproportionate, even with the alleged violation"./VOA

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