The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has found a violation of the European Convention in the case of Fredi Beleri, assessing that the continuation of his detention was not based on sufficient reasons, at least from July 19, 2023 onwards, when the investigations against him were concluded and the file was sent for trial.

Fredi Beleri, who was running for mayor of Himara, was arrested on May 12, 2023, on suspicion of vote buying.

In its decision, the Strasbourg Court found that Beleri's initial detention was justified, but stressed that, over time, the Albanian authorities should reassess whether this security measure was still necessary.

According to the Court, the authorities should have fully reconsidered whether the reasons for his detention continued to exist and whether more lenient security measures could be applied.

Strasbourg notes that the Albanian courts did not take sufficient account of the completion of the investigations and the fact that the indictment had been filed. They also failed to identify concrete evidence that could be compromised by Beleri's intervention, according to the decision.

In conclusion, the Court ruled that Albania must pay Fredi Beleri 450 euros for non-pecuniary damage and 5 thousand euros for legal costs, for a total of 5,450 euros, plus possible taxes.

On the other hand, the Court rejected his request for compensation for lost income during the period when he was unable to exercise his duties as mayor of Himara.

Fredi Beleri was elected mayor of Himara in the 2023 local elections, despite being in detention. He was unable to take office, as authorities did not give him permission to take the oath.

Beleri was sentenced to two years in prison for active electoral corruption. Meanwhile, his case is pending before the Constitutional Court.