Fredi Beleri will be on the ballot, but what happens if he wins?
2023-05-13 19:07:18PolitikëSHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Fred Beller
The Vlora court left the candidate for the Mayor of Himara under the slogan "Together We Win", Fredi Beleri, who was arrested at midnight on Friday, accused of being involved in electoral corruption, in jail indefinitely.
The court also decided to send his file to the Special Prosecutor's Office Against Organized Crime and Corruption, as the competent prosecutor's office for the investigation of election corruption.
The arrest of the candidate of the "Bashkë Fitomje" coalition, proposed by the PBDNJ minority party of Vangjel Dules, has raised many questions about whether it will be resolved and what will happen to him.
Chief Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi says that despite his arrest, Fredi Beleri will be on the ballot on May 14.
Celibashi emphasized that things will change only if Beleri is sentenced by a final decision.
"Beler's arrest is not a good thing at all. I have no comment as this is related to the judicial bodies, but from the point of view of the law he remains a candidate and voters can vote for him if they want. He is not banned from the race even though he is not physically there. Things change only if he is sentenced by a final decision for a criminal offense that is not allowed to run under the decriminalization law," he said.
The law prohibits holding this duty, if he has been convicted by a final court decision for some criminal offences.
"They cannot run for office or be elected as members of Parliament of Albania, mayors or councilors in the municipal council, and in any case they cannot receive a function with a vote from the Assembly, including the function of Prime Minister or member of the Council of Ministers, or with a vote by the municipal or district councils, persons who have been sentenced to imprisonment by a final decision, inside or outside the territory of the Republic of Albania", it is stated in this law, which also includes criminal offenses
Beleri is accused of election corruption for articles 328 of the Criminal Code.
"Offering or giving money or material goods, making promises for jobs or other favors in any form, in order to obtain the signature for the candidate's presentation, to vote in a certain way or to receive participate or not in the voting, constitutes a criminal misdemeanor and is punishable by imprisonment from six months to two years. The acceptance of money, material goods, promises and other favors against the performance of the above actions constitutes a criminal offense and is punishable by a fine", this article of the Criminal Code states.
So if Beleri is elected, the Central Election Commission will be forced to make a decision, if there will be a final court decision.
