The conviction and two-year jail sentence against the Himare mayor-elect is expected to have regional and European reverberations and possibly disrupt Albania EU accession course

The Greek-Albanian politician has directly accused Albanian PM Edi Rama of engineering the now shaky court case against him

Fredi Beleri, who won the municipal race in Himare, in southern coastal Albania, last May by the slimmest of margins, has been remanded since before his election victory on charges of vote-buying, based on the testimony of two otherwise shady witnesses

Ethnic Greek politician won the Himare mayor's race last May but has been prevented from taking the oath. Charges of political motivation behind entire case has strained relations between Athens and Tirana

Repeated decisions have prevented Himare mayor-elect from exit jail for a day to take the oath of office; court foot-dragging delays trial

The ethnic Greek mayor-elect of Himara called on Albanian PM Edi Rama to appoint a municipal councilor from his party until his release from jail

Referring to Fredi Beleri as the elected mayor of Himare was a clear statement, Greek FM Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Friday

A three-justice court in Tirana last week rejected a motion by Beleri for a temporary release in order to be sworn-in.

According to the Italian Newspaper La Stampa, Albania's Constitutional Court will review two appeals claiming that the agreement with Italy violates Albania's Constitution and international treaties the country has ratified

Another obstacle placed before Rama government's path towards EU accession, after Athens' warning that progress in Beleri case a condition for its support

Ethnic Greek politician won Himare mayor's race last April but is prevented from taking the oath of office. Trial repeatedly delayed

The detained Mayor said PM Rama was on a witch hunt against his political opponents