US intervention The Greek-American organizations are asking for the release of the candidate mayor of Heimarra, Freddy Beleris, in a joint letter to the deputy minister of European and Eurasian Affairs, Gabriel Escobar. In their letter, the leading members of the diaspora emphasize that “Washington should have a policy of zero tolerance for any democratic backsliding in the Western Balkans given that Russia continues its efforts to destabilize the region, especially after the invasion of Ukraine.” .

The letter is signed by the World Coordinating Committee of the Cyprus Struggle (PSEKA), AHEPA, Anti Manatos, AHI, HALC, the Chia Federation, the Hellenic-American National Council and the Pan-Macedonian Union of America.

The Letter of Greek American Organizations to the State Department:

“We are writing to express our concern about the treatment of the Greek minority in Albania during the upcoming municipal elections in the country.

Less than 48 hours before the polls opened in Albania for municipal elections on Sunday, the Albanian government dealt a huge blow to the conduct of fair and free elections and the rights of minorities in the country.

Last night, men of the secret police arrested the candidate for mayor of the Greek ethnic minority Mr. Fredi Beleris and members of his campaign team on baseless charges. Mr. Beleri’s political opponent is none other than the candidate of the ruling Socialist Party of Albania, Mr. Giorgi Goro. The latest polls showed a close election battle between the two candidates.

Mr. Beleri is a member of the Greek National Minority of Albania and a leading figure of the minority political party Union for Human Rights (KEAD), which supports his candidacy.

Such a blow to the heart of democracy, i.e. to the electoral process itself, casts serious doubt on Albania’s commitment to fulfilling the criteria for joining the European Union. Unfortunately, Mr Beleris’ arrest came almost a year after all 27 EU member states, including Greece, agreed to start accession negotiations with Albania. It is all the more unfortunate in light of Russia’s ceaseless efforts to destabilize Europe in general, and the Western Balkans in particular, in the context of its violent aggression against Ukraine. At a time when autocracies are joining forces, any deviation from democratic principles by a country aspiring to join the EU should not be tolerated.

We ask you to demand the immediate release of Mr Beleris and to urge the Albanian government to hold free and fair elections on Sunday. Not only democracy and human rights in Albania are at stake, but also Albania’s relations with Greece and therefore its candidacy for the European Union. The retreat of democracy in Turkey under Erdogan should have been a wake-up call and there should be a zero-tolerance policy for any backsliding of democracy in the Western Balkans.”