Freddy Beleris: Thanked Athens mayor for his support in the fight for release from prison

The newly elected mayor of Himaras, Fredi Beleris, expressed his gratitude to the mayor of Athens, Costas Bakoyannis, for his support in the struggle for his release from prison.

With his message on Facebook, Freddy Beleris thanked the Athenian mayor for his presence at the event that took place on Monday, where Kostas Bakoyannis and the mayor of Thessaloniki, Konstantinos Zervas, were also present.

“I would like to wholeheartedly thank the Mayor of Athens, Mr. Costas Bakoyannis, for his practical and substantial support in my struggle and also for his presence in today’s grand protest in Himara,” his message read.

“Democracy cannot be imprisoned”

It has been three months since Beleris was arrested and remanded in custody for attempted vote-buying, and Albanian judicial authorities continue to hold him in custody without trial, and he has not even been formally charged.

Greek expatriates from towns and villages in the area – some from Greece – flocked to the central square of Himara, responding to the call of the northern Epirus unions, but also of the “Omonoia” organization, to demonstrate in favor of the immediate release and swearing in of Freddy Beleris.

From the stage of the rally, Kostas Bakoyiannis characterized his presence in Himara as a “pilgrimage for freedom and hope for democracy”.

“As the mayor of Athens and also as the president of the B40 network, which consists of dozens of municipalities in 11 Balkan countries, I convey the message to you: Democracy is not imprisoned. The voice of citizens is not silenced. The mandate of the people is not falsified”, emphasized Mr. Bakoyannis.

And he categorically added that “Himara has a mayor, period and dash. He has a first and last name: Freddy Beleris.”

“Freddy Beleris deserves a fair trial. Illegal pretrial detention violates the rule of law and the presumption of innocence. Freddy Beleris is entitled to be sworn in as Mayor and to assume the duties entrusted to him by his fellow citizens. He deserves it himself. The people of Himara deserve it”, Kostas Bakoyannis noted.

“My brother’s hostage situation is purely political”

The brother of Freddy Beleris, Leonardos, spoke to the MEGA Hour Society about the protest rally that took place yesterday in Heimarra.

“Yesterday we held a rally where lawyers from Albania were also invited. At this moment, the detention and hostage-taking of my brother is purely political. Unfortunately, time has passed,” said Leonardos Beleris.

And he added: “There is currently no legal framework that does not allow the mayor to assume his duties.”

For his part, Leonardos Beleris confirmed what is happening and said: “The discrimination that is made between locals and permanent residents is very great. At this moment in the province of Himarra, every new building that exists does not belong to a permanent resident”.