Greek FM strongly condemns Albania’s decision to scrap Beleri’s mandate

Greece's Foreign Ministry condemned Albania's decision to declare invalid the mandate of ethnic Greek Fredi Beleri as mayor of the the southern Albanian region of Himare, calling it a "pre-ordained outcome" fraught with legal issues. 

Beleri was elected as mayor of the southern Albanian town on May 14, 2023, but just two days before the election, he was arrested on charges of vote-buying and subsequently sentenced to two years in prison.

Earlier on Friday, Albania's Central Electoral Commission revoked his mandate. 

Last month, Beleri was elected as a Member of the European Parliament with Greece's ruling New Democracy party. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided to nominate him to address alleged injustices in Albania.

In its statement, the Greek Foreign Ministry criticized the decision as a violation of the rule of law, pointing out that Himare...