At this moment the visit of the Greek is taking place Minister of State Stavros Papastavros in the prisons of Dyrrachia where the elected mayor of Chiemarra, Fredis Beleris, is being held.

This is a highly symbolic visit as Mr. Papastavrou, in addition to being a Minister, is also a close associate of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Through this visit, it becomes clear that Greece will insist on the Beleri case, which it considers a red line for Albania’s accession process.

Mr. Papastavrou speaking to the mass media shortly before entering the prison facilities stated:

“I am here to visit the mayor of Heimarra who has been in custody for seven months. Times are tough, that’s why I wanted to be here. Unfortunately in Himarra the principle of popular sovereignty has not yet been implemented. It is the only municipality in all of Europe where the disqualified mayor continues to exercise power, while the elected mayor is deprived of his democratic right to take the oath. We stand with Fredis Beleris and his right to a fair trial which continues tomorrow. We want the presumption of his innocence to be fully respected by Albanian justice. A fair solution must finally be found within the framework of the European acquis, the rule of law and the principle of good neighborliness in order to restore democratic normality in Himarra.”