Tentative step taken in Beleri case

In a move on Thursday that, under certain circumstances, might open the door to a compromise in the case of jailed ethnic Greek Fredi Beleri, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama referred to him as the "elected mayor of Himare" for the first time, even though he backed as correct the ruling by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime in Tirana that denied him permission to attend a swearing-in.

Beleri has been incarcerated pending trial since May on vote-buying charges after his arrest on the eve of municipal elections which he won against Socialist candidate Jorgo Goro.

The case has strained relations with Greece, which says that Beleri's human rights are being violated and the situation has led to a deadlock in Albania's EU accession process, with Athens threatening a veto if the mayor of Himare is not allowed to take office.

Rama referred to the...