New Democracy’s elected MEP Fredi Beleris, a member of Albania’s ethnic Greek minority who was convicted on alleged vote-buying in last year’s municipal elections, arrived in Athens on Monday on a few days’ furlough from Albanian jail, in order to travel to Strasbourg and be sworn in as a European Parliament deputy.
Upon his release, Beleris traveled by car to Tirana, from where he took the flight to Athens to meet Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion before continuing his journey to Strasbourg.
Former minister of state Stavros Papastavrou and ND MP Aggelos Syrigos welcomed Beleris at the international airport of Athens, where the mayor-elect of Himara, Albania, and new MEP, spoke to the media.
“I am happy and touched to be able to once again embrace my own people. I am proud to assume my duties as an MEP. I will fight to defend the rights of our country and Greeks, wherever they may live,” Beleris told reporters.
Earlier in July, Beleris lost an appeal which upheld his conviction and was removed from his position as mayor of Himare, Albania, without being sworn in, following a decision reached by the Central Electoral Commission.
Beleris vows to continue his struggle for democracy, rule of law
Beleris thanked Greek prime minister Mitsotakis, under whose ruling party he was elected in the European Parliament, for his confidence in him, as well as the PM’s associates, and the media who were at his side.
“My ordeal is coming to an end. The struggle for democracy, the rule of law and the freedoms of the citizens continues,” he pledged.
Replying to questions, Beleris continued to declare his innocence on the vote-buying charges he was convicted for in Albania, which he said the Albanian side now also admitted.
“I draw strength and courage from the support of my family, friends, and, I could say the majority of Greeks,” he commented.
Beleris wants to help Albania come closer to EU accession
In his message to the people of Himare, his hometown where he had been accused of vote-buying by the authorities, Beleris said they are not alone and that Greece protects them and their rights, which will sooner or later be vindicated.
“The EU should not allow the will and desires of people to not be respected, wherever they may be in Europe generally,” MEP Beleris noted.
Following his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister at the Maximos Mansion in Athens, Beleris said he considered that “the rule of law, the right to elect and be elected, is not self-evident” in Albania, where he lives.
“I want to help with these things. I want to help the Greek ethnic minority to stay in their ancestral homes but also help this state to come closer to and become a member of the European family,” he stated.
“This is what we also want,” Mitsotakis replied. “We also have every reason to want an Albania that makes progress in these issues, which comes closer to Europe, while strictly abiding by its European commitments. This is, I think, a common goal which we all want to work towards,” the Greek premier concluded.
