Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara who was arrested and imprisoned on suspicion of vote buying just before the 2023 Albanian local elections, was not sworn in on Tuesday at the first meeting of the municipal council, putting his mandate into uncertainty.
Beleri, a Greek expatriate, was arrested two days before the 14 May local elections on suspicion of vote buying, something hedenies. He has been held in custody ever since, awaiting the conclusion of the legal process against him.
On Monday, the Albanian Special Court against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK) rejected a request from Beleri’s lawyers to allow him to physically participate in Tuesday’s meeting and take the oath which formalises his position as mayor.
Beleri, however, sent a letter to those attending the meeting, laying down his position.
“The unprecedented attack and the 45 days of my unjust detention do not change my deep faith in democracy, rights, institutions and, first of all, citizens. I believe, and I invite you to believe. I hope that soon everyone will think freely and act virtuously,” he wrote.
He continued by asking the electorate to be patient and that he, along with the citizens of Himara, will march together to become stronger.
“Am sure that soon the international community will protect the principles and values of democracy and the rule of law. Because today, above all, a mayor elected in this part of Europe, a citizen who is a member of the minority, was prevented from taking office,” Beleri’s letter continued.
He concluded that the battle would be fought and won and the day he assumes his duties will be a brave day, unlike today which is “embarrassing for those in charge”.
The case is unprecedented in Albanian politics as he was arrested prior to the vote for vote buying and then went on to win.
Under Albanian law, the mandate of a mayor is terminated when he refuses to take the oath, is criminally punished for serious violations of laws or the constitution, or does not show up for work for three consecutive months.
It is not clear, however, what happens if the mayor-elect wants to take the oath but is prevented due to being in prison. As he has not been convicted due to awaiting trial, the condition of violating a law is not yet confirmed, nor has he refused to take the oath as the situation is out of his control.
The law does, however, state that the previous mayor will continue in office until the new mayor is sworn in, meaning Socialist Party candidate Joro Goro will lead the municipality as he has since 2011.
His arrest sparked a diplomatic rift between Tirana and Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mistotakis and Foreign Minister Vassilis Kaskeralis saying the move could see Greece block Albania’s EU path.
According to evidence leaked to Albanian media, wiretapping revealed Beleri and his plan for buying local election votes. It is alleged a person provided him with a list of names of people who would vote for him if he gave them 5,000 Lek (€45). He allegedly then promised to give the person passing him the list of names around €300.
In terms of the Greek community in Albania, some 0.9% of the population identify as ethnic Greek, although this is controversial in some political circles. While several communities in the south of the country speak Greek and some road signs appear in the Greek language, Albanian nationalists say they simply identify as Greek to get Greek (and de facto EU) passports and money from Athens, something the local communities deny.
A census, albeit delayed, is scheduled for autumn 2023.
Meanwhile, during the meeting on Tuesday, tensions were high as supporters of Beleri congregated at the municipality and demanded other employees leave the vicinity. New municipal officers suggested at the meeting that Beleri take the oath via Skype.
(Alice Taylor | Exit.al)
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