Greek MEP decries ‘baseless’ incarceration of Himare mayor-elect

The conviction by the Albanian authorities of Himare mayor-elect Fredi Beleri is "flimsy and baseless," the chairman of the EU-Albania Joint Parliamentary Stabilization and Association Committee and New Democracy MEP Manolis Kefalogiannis reiterated on Monday after visiting the jailed ethnic-Greek politician.

"Fredi Beleri continues his proud fight for the Greek-ethnic minority, for Himare's residents. He has been a prisoner for a year now, on a flimsy and baseless charge, an unfair decision keeping him in jail illegally," he said.

Kefalogiannis also repeated warnings that the incarceration of Beleri - a fellow candidate who will be running for a seat in European Parliament next month on the New Democracy ticket - reflects unfavorably on Albania's bid for European Union membership.

"Albania's accession course depends on respect for the fundamental rights of the...