A Greek mayoral candidate for the Albanian city of Himara, Freddy Beleris, who was arrested at midnight by men of the special forces of the Albanian police on the charge of “buying votes” is reportedly still under custody despite initial reports to the contrary.

In particular, neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Ministry of Citizen Protection is able to confirm the news that Athens News Agency aired earlier through its correspondent in Argyrokastro. In fact, according to sources, in addition to Freddy Beleris who remains a prisoner, his lawyer and the associate of the candidate for Mayor are in custody with him. In fact, according to Albanian media, the country’s authorities have already proceeded to arrest the associate and have accused him of buying votes.

The Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, contacted the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, after earlier informing the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, about the issue. The organisations of the minority, OMONIA, and KEAD, reacted strongly to the unprecedented attack against the Hellenic diaspora of Albania, while the ambassador of Greece in Tirana, Konstantina Kamitsi, following the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, today, 12 May, trip to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania.

Freddy Beleris, president of the local branch of OMONIA, is running in the municipal elections of Himarra, as a mayoral candidate supported by both the Human Rights Union Party (KEAD) and OMONIA, as well as by the opposition coalition led by the Democratic Party of Sali Berisha and the Freedom Party of the former president of the Republic Ilir Meta.

On the way to the ballot box, Freddy Beleris was harshly attacked by a section of the press and also by Prime Minister Edi Rama himself, who a few hours before his arrest allegedly declared to a television station that the day after the elections he would “settle the matter personally” with him.

The announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Following the news about the arrest by Albanian authorities of Dionysis-Freddy Beleris, a candidate for Mayor in the Municipality of Himara with the KEAD, the Ambassador of Greece in Tirana, Konstantina Kamitsi, following the instructions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikos Dendias, is on her way today, May 12, to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Albania.