The arrest of the winning mayoral candidate for Himare, who ran with an opposition coalition, just two days before the April local elections on suspicion of vote-buying, continues to ignite tensions between Greece and Albania. The candidate, Beleri, has consistently maintained his innocence but has been held in pre-trial detention, along with 48 other suspects, including candidates from the ruling party, since his arrest.
Efforts to reduce the security measures from arrest to prison have been repeatedly denied, preventing Beleri from being sworn in as the mayor. This situation has led to accusations of violations of the rule of law, democratic values, and minority rights, along with claims that the arrest is politically motivated. Greek politicians have gone so far as to threaten to halt Albania’s EU accession process or suspend funding, causing frustration in Tirana.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis criticized Beleri’s detention, calling it a clear violation of the presumption of innocence and highlighting the issue at an informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Toledo. He stressed that the case goes beyond judicial decisions and raises concerns about the independence of the Albanian judiciary, the presumption of innocence, the rule of law, political rights, and the rights of the citizens of Himara who elected Beleri.
Gerapetritis also hinted at discussing the matter with Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi, emphasizing Greece’s support for the Western Balkan countries on their path to the European Union.
In response, Albanian Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka asserted that the case is a matter for the judicial system, not the Albanian or Greek governments. She noted that it is not only Greece that insists on a request dismissed by Albanian courts, and emphasized that the new Albanian justice bodies, including the Special Court Against Organized Crime and Corruption (SPAK), have made clear decisions. Xhacka also stated that according to Albanian law, there is no political will to release Beleri from prison.
Prime Minister Edi Rama has requested legal advice on resolving the swearing-in situation, while opposition politicians argue that there is evidence supporting Beleri’s innocence, including claims that he rejected a police provocateur involved in the alleged vote buying.
The government maintains that the justice system should be allowed to proceed independently to determine the outcome of the case.