Fredi Beleri, a newly elected Member of the European Parliament and an Albanian citizen of Greek origin, who was released from an Albanian prison on Monday morning and arrived in Athens after being granted a five-day furlough to attend a swearing-in ceremony for MEPs in Strasbourg.
Beleri was welcomed by his son, members of the ruling New Democracy party and members of the ethnic Greek community of southern Albania at the Athens International Airport, where he made a brief statement before heading to meet Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion.
“It’s good to be here! I am happy and moved. I am proud to go and defend the rights of Greeks all over the world, wherever they may be,” he said upon his arrival. He praised the prime minister, stating, “The prime minister has proven that he is the leader of all Greeks. He stood by me and supported me,” he said, while appearing visibly emotional.
The new MEP also referred to his legal battle with the Albanian justice system, expressing relief that his ordeal was coming to an end. He re-asserted his innocence, emphasizing that it was not merely a stance he’s kept from the beginning, but a fact now acknowledged even by the Albanian public, in response to reporters’ questions.
Beleri extended his gratitude to his family, the media and everyone who supported him in his quest for justice, as he said.
He conveyed a message to the residents of Himare, a southern coastal municipality in southwest Albania that hosts a significant ethnic Greek population, where he was elected mayor in May 2023, emphasizing that their demands are just and will be heard. He assured them of his support, stating they are not alone and have Greece beside them for protection.
Finally, Beleri emphasized the importance of respecting the will of the people within the European Union, stating, “As an elected MEP, I believe the EU must not allow the will and desire of the people, wherever they are within Europe, to be disrespected.”
