“The battle for the rights of Beleris is a battle for Democracy and the protection of the Greek National Minority” said tonight the Mayor of Thessaloniki Konstantinos Zervas from Heimarrawhere he went to attend the gathering for the release of the elected Mayor Fredis Beleris.

The Mayor of Thessalonikiduring his speech in the context of the event organized by the expatriate organization “Omonoia” in the central pedestrian street of Spilaion, in Heimarra, conveyed a resounding message of support to Fredis Belleri and the diaspora, emphasizing: “I bring with me the voice of Thessaloniki. But the people of Macedonia are also with you. And we will fight this battle together. And we will give it to all the lengths and breadths of the world.”

Referring to the initiative he undertook for the internationalization of the Beleri case, Mr. Zervas announced that relevant letters have been sent to the entire network of cities twinned with Thessaloniki. “Everyone needs to know why Freddy is being tortured and his rights are being violated. No one can say that they did not know that in this corner of the earth Democracy is being threatened and uprooted”, he noted.

Mr. Zervas underlined that the illegal imprisonment and the attempt to impeach Beleris pose obstacles to the very European perspective of Albania. “They don’t fit in Europe. All of us want Albania to become part of the European family. But Europe and a fragile rule of law do not go together”, said the Mayor of Thessaloniki in his speech, emphasizing that “Cheimarra has a Mayor – Fredis Beleris – and we will do everything, so that he immediately assumes his duties”.

Tonight’s gathering on the main pedestrian street of Spilaion, in Heimarra, was held with a request for the immediate release of Fredis Belerisin order to make it possible to assume his duties, as the three-month deadline provided by the electoral law of the neighboring country for his swearing-in expires.