The ministry will continue to inform and sensitize the international community and, in particular, the European partners, as Albania is a candidate country for EU membership, it is emphasized in a statement by the Greek diplomatic authorities
The anger of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is caused by the decision of the appeal court of the Special Court of Tirana which extends the detention of the expatriate and elected mayor of Heimarra, Fredis Beleris. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its announcement notes that the detention of Mr. Beleris it is not consistent with the provisions of the rule of law and at the same time does not constitute a fair treatment of an elected representative of the local government. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs points out that there are questions about the existence of political expediency behind the decision and concludes by stressing that it will continue to inform and raise awareness of the international community and, in particular, the European partners, as Albania is a candidate country for EU membership.
The full text of the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs follows:
Today’s rejection of the appeal of the elected Mayor of Heimarra, Freddy Beleris, against the continuation of his pre-trial detention, does not appear to be in line with the provisions of the rule of law, while it does not constitute fair treatment of an elected representative of the local government, since, as it appears from an Announcement of of the Special Prosecutor’s Office of Albania, is the only pre-trial detention in a total of 31 complaints for electoral crimes.
It also raises questions as to the existence of political expediency for maintaining the detention, since it raises substantial obstacles to F. Beleris assuming his duties as Mayor.
The ongoing pre-trial detention of F. Beleris was the subject of today’s conversation between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vassilis Kaskareli, and his Albanian counterpart, Olta Xhaçka, in Oslo, on the sidelines of the informal Ministerial Meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs keeps the issue very high in its priorities and, beyond the bilateral dimension of the issue, will continue to inform and raise awareness of the international community and, in particular, the European partners, as Albania is a candidate country for EU membership.
Source: Skai
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