About his 16-month imprisonment in jail, and what he is expected to do from now on, Fredi Beleris, a member of the European Parliament of the New Democracy, spoke online from Heimarra to SKAI.

“I want to thank you all this time for your support while I was a prisoner. It has been 16 months, I feel a redemption that this suffering has come to an end,” were the first words of Fredi Beleri, who stressed that his legal struggle continues, announcing that he will appeal to all levels of the Albanian justice system, in which, however, he did not hide that he has “no hope and no trust”.

He also announced that he plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), where he expects to be vindicated, from his position as an MEP now. “I want to thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for nominating me as a candidate, and the Greek people for honoring me with their trust and believing in the struggle of the national Greek minority for self-evident rights,” the Greek MEP said.

“I would like to shed light on Albania’s problems so that this country can become a member of the EU.”

Regarding yesterday’s celebrations for his release from prison, he commented:

“People are indeed very excited and proud. It is perhaps one of the few times in its history that these people feel that they are not alone. In this struggle, they have the Greek government, the Greek Prime Minister, all the Greek parties, and the Greek people together. It is a just demand of the people here for the right to self-determination, the right to their property, to live in a state of law, to have their right to vote and be elected respected. Unfortunately, all these things are being demanded in Mr. Rama’s Albania.

At the same time, Frentis Belleris also responded on what he envisions to contribute to the European Parliament from his position as an MEP, noting that the focus will be on his hometown of Himara. “I am not vindictive, I want Albania to become a member of the European family. But to become a member because it deserves it and not as a gift”.

Asked finally about the situation in Himara, he replied:

“There is a feeling of injustice among my fellow citizens here. The August 4 elections were a farce, the entire paramilitary was installed in Himarra to elect Rama’s chosen one. He is the master of the political game here, the leader of the Opposition has been taken into custody without even a charge, and of course, he is also tight with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Unfortunately, there is no separation of powers in Albania.