Albania decides to release Beleri

A Tirana court on Monday decided to release Fredi Beleri from prison, accepting the relevant request by his defence. Beleri, who has been elected an MEP on the New Democracy ballot, has served two-thirds of his prison sentence, due to end at the beginning of October.

The court’s decision was accompanied by a condition requiring that he communicate – without requiring his physical presence – at regular intervals with the police station.

Beleri was elected mayor of Himara in 2023, but he was not allowed to take the oath as he was in custody for attempting to buy votes. The charge was contested by both him and Athens. After the court’s decision, he returned to prison from where he is expected to leave once the required bureaucratic procedures are completed.