After a thriller in the process of counting votes in municipal elections in Himarra Freddy Beleris prevailed over George Goro.
The expatriate candidate, who remains in custody, defeated his opponent, who was backed by the government of Edi Rama.
some time ago counting process has been interrupted, causing people to gather in Heimarr Stadium. These are Greek expatriates who came to respond to the interruption of the count. Then, after the first informal announcement of the results, they erupted celebrations.
Chronicle of the arrest of Beleris
It is recalled that the arrest and pre-trial detention of Heimarra mayoral candidate and Greek immigrant Freddie Beleris on charges of vote-buying on the eve of Albanian municipal elections caused “clouds” in relations between Athens and Tirana.
Beleris was transferred to the prison of Tirana, where he will stay for at least 10 days.
It is noted that the partner of Beleris Pantelis Kokavesis was also sentenced to pre-trial detention. The Tirana hospital was also informed about this decision, where Kokavesis was taken due to health problems (a year ago he underwent a heart transplant).
Beleris and Kokavesis have the right to appeal within five days, and the Court of Appeal will issue a decision within ten days.
It is noted that Beleris he was arrested just two days before the municipal elections in a neighboring country.
Recall that Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a message to Tirana, in which he stressed that if Albania wants to get closer to the EU, it must ensure free municipal elections and immediately release those whom it has deprived of liberty.
Polls in Albania they opened at 7 am (local time) for 3,600,000 Albanians to come and vote for the election of 61 mayors and their respective municipal councils.
There are 144 candidates for mayor who belong to 44 parties and coalitions of parties. More than 6,000 police officers were involved in maintaining order during the electoral process.
Several foreign observers from the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and other international organizations are monitoring the elections.
In these elections Greece’s interest was focused on three main municipalities.Heimarra, Foiniki and Dropoli – Chase.
With information from ERT and APE-MPE
Source: Kathimerini
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