Albania: Election thriller between jailed Greek candidate and opponent

Slowly but surely, the results from the elections in Albania continue to be broadcast. According to the official data, the electoral process has emerged as a thriller between Beleri and Goro.

The diaspora candidate for Mayor, Fredis Beleri, remains in Tirana prisons, since Friday (12/5) where he was arrested on charges of vote buying, however, it seems that this arrest, like that of his associate Pericles Kokavesis and another diaspora mayoral candidate, is an organized plot of the Rama government.

What official figures show

According to the website himara.gr, the participation of the Greeks of Northern Epirus was large in the elections. In fact, many people traveled both from Greece and from other countries in order to vote and support Fredis Beleri.

This has started to be seen from the ballot box as well with the two candidates each getting 50% of the vote and with the integration of the results it is at 62%. The counting process started in the early hours of Monday and after the ballots from 36 E.T. of the enlarged municipality, were moved to a single space in the center of Himara.

Belleri’s message from prison

“Now is the time!! I need you all by my side!! No one should miss the polls on May 14!! We are all ONE and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, love and solidarity!! All together for change!! For the best future of our country!!”.

This message was sent through a post on Facebook by the candidate for the mayor of Heimarra Freddy Beleris, who was arrested by the Albanian authorities on Thursday night and is being held at the Avlona Police Department, two days before the municipal elections.

Beleri remains on the ballot

Despite the above, Beleri’s candidacy is expected to remain on the ballots of his combination and to be voted normally, regardless of the developments that have taken place. It is worth noting that this is the first case of the arrest of a mayoral candidate two days before the elections.

In fact, on Friday, Fredis Beleri’s pre-election rally was held normally without his presence, with the speakers expressing the belief that the mayoral candidate will be the winner of the elections.

Beleri’s supporters did not stop shouting slogans in favor of his victory, while the ethnic Greek candidate’s daughter, Hermione, addressed the crowd closing the event.

“We are deciding for the best future for our country. Now the time has come to change everything, the time has come to bring the best future. We all have a reason because Himarra is us,” said the 17-year-old daughter of Fredis Beleri.