Tirana (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – After spending 16 months in an Albanian prison, MEP Fredi Beleri has been granted an early discharge. His request, which had been delayed three times, was approved.
Fredi Beleri, a member of Albania’s ethnic Greek minority and a recently elected European Parliament member with Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, sought early release because he had done more than two-thirds of his sentence and demonstrated good behaviour during his incarceration.
What conditions accompany Beleri’s early discharge?
The only circumstances of his early release is that he must maintain frequent telephone contact with the local police station. Had his request been rejected, Beleri would have been released on October 14, when his penalty was set to officially conclude. Moreover, European Parliament members relish legal immunity from prosecution within the 27-state bloc, even for allegations relating to offences committed before their election. But Albania is not an EU member yet.
What were the charges against Fredi Beleri?
Beleri, who was captured two days before the last local elections in Albania on charges of vote buying, was uncovered guilty by the Special Court and his conviction was confirmed on appeal. Although charged, Beleri won the elections in Himara in May 2023 and was elected mayor until July 2024, when after the final decision of the Special Court of Appeal, the Central Election Commission declared his mandate weak.
Because of the detention, Beleri could not take the pledge as mayor and the court refused to allow him to take office. During the time that Beleri was meeting charges in Albania, he received official backing from Athens and the party of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed him on its list as a member of the European Parliament. Beleri was declared the winner, and he was sentenced by the Special Court of First Instance in Albania.
