Abstract

In this article, journalist Marin Mema revisits the 1994 armed attack on the Albanian military post in Peshkëpi and alleges a long-standing cover-up by Greek authorities. Drawing on investigative files, police records, court proceedings, and diplomatic correspondence, the article claims that the attack involved Greek military and police personnel alongside Albanian citizens living in Greece, including Fredi Beleri. While Greek authorities initially acknowledged links between seized weapons and the Peshkëpi attack, key evidence—such as weapon serial numbers—was never shared with Albanian investigators. Trials in Greece ultimately downgraded the charges to simple weapons possession, raising questions about political interference, missing files, and selective justice. Mema frames the case as not only a failure of accountability, but also an unresolved act against Albanian sovereignty that continues to have political consequences today.

In this articles by Marin Mema he discusses a dirty secret hidden by the Greek authorities regarding a Greek attack on the Albanian village of Peshkëpi in 1994.

“The truth sinks, but it does not drown, O Beler.

Let’s see some data contained in the investigative file on Fredi Beler and his associates. I repeat that they are part of the investigative file for the attack on the military unit in the village of Peshkëpi in 1994. The protagonists of this event at that time were identified as citizens:

1. Jorgo ANASTASULIS, 34 years old, officer of the Greek army.
   
2. Apostolos KARVELAS, 26 years old, employee of the Greek police.
   
3. Mario KUTULLAS, 25 years old, Albanian citizen residing in Athens.
   
4. Fredi (Alfred) BELERI, 23 years old, Albanian citizen residing in Athens.
   
5. Jorgo KRISTO, 26 years old, Albanian citizen residing in Athens.
   
6. Harallamb PAPA, 21 years old, Albanian citizen, residing in Athens.
   
7. Jorgo PAPA, 30 years old, Albanian citizen, resident in Athens.

On 19.03.1995 we are informed that the Greek police have detained at the place called “Hani i Delvinaqit” in Pogon, Ioannina the Greek citizens, Jorgo ANASTASULI, Apostol KARVELLAS, Mario Spiro KUTULLA, Jorgo Roland KRISTO, Fredi Foto Beleri, from Himara; Harallamb PAPA from Krioneri, Gjirokastra and Jorgo PAPA from Saranda.

The reason for the detention of this group was that during the control exercised by the Greek police in the car, in which they were moving, a considerable amount of weapons and equipment for committing terrorist acts was found. The detained group was returning from Albania where it had gone to commit an act of sabotage against a military unit in Llongo, Gjirokastra.

The action was not carried out because they were discovered by the guards of the military unit. The Greek justice authorities initiated a trial against the above-mentioned individuals, with the initial charge being: “Participation in the terrorist act in Peshkëpi, Albania”.

In May 1999, the trial in Greece ended and the above individuals were convicted of “Arms possession”. Initially, by the Court of First Instance, with 4 (four) years of imprisonment, then by the Court of Second Instance, with 18-20 months of probation, and then they were released.
So the group prepared a second attack against a second border post, but they failed.

On their way back, they were accidentally caught by the Greek police. You can see what happened above. The group, which according to the file also included Beleri, also seized the weapons stolen in 1994 in the Peshkëpi ward.

Albanian investigators asked the Greek side for the serial numbers of the weapons seized by the Greek police in 1995. This would allow them to link the events. The Greek side responded correctly to the court’s decision, which also included the serial numbers of the seized weapons. No. This information was not made available to the Albanian investigators. The reason is easy to understand.

Meanwhile, the then Minister of the Interior, Stelios Papathemelis, in his initial statement said “I am being very careful with the words I use.” The connection of the weapons found is quite obvious with the Peshkëpi incident.

But what happened next?

On July 25, 1995, as written in another report, again by the Albanian Embassy in Athens, in a press conference, the Prime Minister of Greece, Andreas Papandreou, once again testified to the uncertainty and wavering positions on this issue. Asked by journalists, he admitted the incident, but the rest, for not clarifying it, he blamed the justice system.

The conversation

Filis: When the MAVI representatives were arrested a short time ago, you stated, according to the data of the former Deputy Minister Papathemelis, that the weapons found in their possession were stolen from the Peshkëpi barracks and that the investigations will go to the end.
Prime Minister: Yes.
Filis: We note that the investigations were stopped without reaching the end, they dismissed the charges, how do you comment on this?
Prime Minister: A judicial decision.
Filis: Yes, but there is a statement by Mr. Papathemelis that the weapons found on the accused belong to Peshkëpi..
Prime Minister: I know, they are, this is my point of view.
Filis: What do you intend to do?
Prime Minister: We will ask the Minister of Justice, this is a very serious, organized, anti-national issue with extreme danger.
Filis: It is covered up.
Prime Minister: Not by us, in the name of God.

The investigative file from which we have extracted these parts has testimonies, evidence, data, wiretaps, which, according to it, establish Fredi Beleri as a member of the group that attacked the Peshkëpi post office.

A cover up

The Greek side did not provide the Albanian side with the requested data on the series of weapons, even though the Greeks themselves have claimed that where they were taken. What makes the story even more shocking is the fact that the abuse of office file, which talked about the way the military department was organized in 1994, the investigations, the data, the essential elements that served to unravel the event, has disappeared. The old file is left with only one sheet inside it.

However, the investigators were able to secure every piece of evidence that directly implicates Fredi Beleri and the others in the attack on the Peshkopia post office, and like him a long list of people. The data is in the new investigative file, there is clear and sufficient evidence to clarify everything. Why are the relevant bodies silent?

A crime against Albanian sovereignty

How is such a person allowed to enter and exit Albania? Why does the Albanian state not place the materials at the service of the European Parliament? This man who comes here with the status of an MEP must be prevented. He has other missions, anti-Albanian missions and he has shown it and continues to show it in every form. Why don’t we react?
There are still many. Beler, you are lying to me that by accusing and threatening you will make me retreat.

O Mr. MEP, I stand in the face of extremists, instigators of anti-Albanianism, hatred and conflict. I do not need either immunity or protection. I am not afraid and I do not retreat as long as I am with the rights of my Nation.

I face any anti-Albanian in the light of day and do not put a hood on my head… hidden in the darkness. With extremists like you, I will always be in the face. “The truth sinks, but does not drown”. Please do not reuse in the media without first obtaining the author’s consent. In the meantime, distribution from this site is free. I love you very much.”