Fredi Beleri, the newly elected Member of the European Parliament and an Albanian citizen of Greek origin, was released from a prison in Albania on Monday morning, after being granted a five-day furlough.
Beleri is serving a two-year prison sentence in that country on a vote-buying conviction that he, his supporters and even the Greek government have charged was a politically motivated prosecutorial and judicial miscarriage of justice. The term ‘sham trial’ has been repeatedly aired by his supporters.
Albanian authorities issued the permit to allow him to travel to Strasbourg, where he is set to be sworn in as a European Parliament deputy during a ceremony scheduled for this week.
Upon his release, the new MEP, who was elected in June on the ticket of Greek conservative party New Democrac (ND), addressed waiting reporters. He expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received over the past months, saying, “I am emotional and happy. We will discuss the rest in Athens,” visibly moved.
His wife and other family members awaited his release outside the prison.
A Greek embassy vehicle was on hand to transport Beleri to Tirana. From there, he flew to Athens.
Beleri was elected mayor of Himare in May 2023 by a narrow margin of 19 votes. However, an Albanian court later overturned the election results after his main opponent accused him of buying eight votes for a total of 335 euros.
