For a “clear resounding message” to the Albanian authorities, she speaks New Democracycommenting on the approval by the European Parliament of the amendment for the release of Freddy Belleri.

In more detail, the ND announcement:

It was voted today in its Plenary European Parliament amendment to the 2022 Report on Albania regarding the arrest of the Mayor of Heimarra, Freddy Beleri, by the Albanian authorities. The amendment in question was tabled by the European People’s Party at the initiative of the Eurogroup of New Democracy following the relevant statements of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and what he raised with Edi Rama himself during their last meeting, on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

Through this specific amendment, the MEPs express their strong concern regarding the arrest of the new Mayor of Chimara, Freddy Beleri, on the eve of the May municipal elections, by the Albanian authorities, who violated the presumption of innocence and prevented the elected mayor from to assume his duties, as he remains imprisoned to this day. At the same time, they emphasize that this issue is linked to the overall respect of fundamental rights, the pending issue of the properties of the members of the Greek ethnic minority in the area of ​​the municipality and the accusations of encroachment by the state.

It was sent, thus, today from Brusselsa clear resounding message, that the methods of the Albanian authorities against the Greek Minority are not tolerated, neither by the Greek Government, nor by the European Parliament and that the European path for Albania goes through the observance of the rules of the rule of law and the respect for the human rights of all its citizens.