The elected mayor of Heimarra and ND MEP, Fredis Beleriswill remain in prison until October, since today’s decision of the Tirana Court of Appeal repeats the first-instance decision for two years in prison.

This decision overturned estimates that a reduction of the sentence and release of the expatriate politician was expected.

Golgothas today is confirmed in the worst way, said his son Fredis Beleris, Petros Beleriswho spoke of a “disgraceful decision” and “a mock trial” immediately after the decision was announced.

The Greek ambassador in Tirana Konstantina Kamitsi stated: “With today’s decision, the court case of the elected mayor by the Albanian judiciary has been completed. Unfortunately, many aspects of the case leave many question marks on the objectivity of the process, such as the violation of the presumption of innocence, not being given the opportunity to take the mayor’s oath, the prolonged pre-trial detention, the excessive sentence in relation to the alleged crime.

Despite the wishes of the people of Heimarra, the municipality has been managed for a year now by persons who were not elected by the people of Heimarra.

Greece’s priority is the observance of the rule of law and the protection of national minorities, which are also fundamental principles.

Mr. Beleris is now an elected member of the European Parliament, it is an absolute democratic requirement that elected MEPs can attend the work of the European Parliament, starting with the Plenary in July.”

The president of the Omonia party, Vangelis Doules, said: “Foregone conclusion, we were under no illusions about it. There is no court decision, but a personal vendetta of the Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama with the elected mayor Heimarras. And this personal vendetta has turned into an institutional one.”

He added that there is only one way to appeal to the European Court.

Fredi Beleris: Now Rama has the problem

“In any European country and in any judicial system that operated according to the rules of the rule of law, my acquittal would be a one-way street regardless of my election or not. From now on Rama will have the problem” Fredi Beleris emphasizes in an interview with CNN Greece, from the Albanian prisons where he is being held.

“Rama acted like a common coup plotter. I endured so many months despite the injustice and the coup against me. I will endure a few more weeks if necessary” notes the MEP elected with the ND, adding that he has announced that he will appeal to the European Court of Justice for his case “and then some will not know where to hide”.

Fredis Beleris estimates that Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama is interested in his country joining the European family “only in words”. “However, in actions, what he does takes Albania away from Europe. A European perspective with circumvention of the rule of law – as has happened in my case – does not exist,” he points out.