Fredis Beleri, a Greek-born Albanese politician recently elected member of the European Parliament (MEP), arrived in Athens on Monday, a day after he was granted a five-day leave from an Albanian prison.

Tovima.Com

Beleri was temporarily freed to attend the opening session of the new European Parliament in Strasbourg after he won a Greek seat in the EU legislature as a member of the ruling New Democracy party.

The 52-year-old was arrested on vote-buying charges two days before becoming the mayor-elect of Himara in May 2023 and sentenced to two years in prison. Earlier this month, Albania's election commission revoked his mandate.

Balkan Insight

While European lawmakers have legal immunity from prosecution, even if allegations relate to crimes committed before their election, Beleri may not be exempted as he is serving time in a non-EU country.

eKathimerini.com

Beleri's conviction has reportedly strained relations between Athens and Tirana, with Greece calling his two-year sentence "disproportionate" and warning that it could hinder Albania's efforts to join the EU.

Euractiv

Fredis Beleris, a jailed ethnic Greek Albanian politician who was elected member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Greece's ruling New Democracy party, was released from prison and arrived in Athens on Monday.

Tovima.Com #

This comes as prison authorities in Albania granted him a five-day leave on Sunday to attend the opening session of the new European legislature in Strasbourg, as Beleris won a seat in elections last month.

In a meeting with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis before heading to France, he said that he wants to assist the Greek ethnic minority in Albania and bring his country closer to the European family.

Beleris was arrested on charges of vote-buying two days before becoming the mayor-elect of Himara in May 2023, and was later sentenced to two years in prison. Earlier this month, Albania's election commission revoked his mandate.

Balkan Insight #

While European lawmakers do enjoy legal immunity from prosecution, even if allegations relate to crimes committed before their mandate, this rule doesn't apply to Beleris as he is serving time in a non-EU country.

eKathimerini.com #

This case has strained relations between Athens and Tirana, with Greece calling his two-year sentence "disproportionate" and warning that the case could hinder Albania's efforts to join the EU.

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Jailed Greek Mayor Freed to Take Oath as EU Lawmaker

Jailed Greek MEPMayor inFreed Athensto AfterTake AlbaniaOath Allowsas Him to Attend EU Parliament OpeningLawmaker

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