Greek-Albanian Mayor Released on Probation, Easing Diplomatic Tensions
Fredis Beleris, a former ethnic Greek mayor in Albania, has been released on probation after serving part of his sentence for vote-buying. His case had strained relations between Albania and Greece, potentially impacting Albania's EU aspirations.
In a development that may ease tensions between Albania and Greece, Fredis Beleris, a former ethnic Greek mayor of an Albanian town, has been released on probation. The 51-year-old politician had been serving a two-year sentence on vote-buying charges, a case that had significantly strained Albanian-Greek relations.
Beleris was freed following a court decision in Fier, located approximately 100 kilometers south of Tirana, Albania's capital. His lawyer, Eugen Gjyzari, confirmed that the court had accepted Beleris' request for early release. The Democratic Union of the Greek Minority, also known as Omonoia, announced plans for a celebratory rally in Himara, Beleris' hometown.
The case against Beleris began on May 12, 2023, just two days before the municipal elections in Himara. He was accused of offering approximately 40,000 Albanian leks (equivalent to 360 euros or $390) to purchase eight votes. This incident occurred in a region known as the Albanian Riviera, an area of increasing tourist development and ongoing property disputes.
The conviction of Beleris had significant diplomatic repercussions. Greece threatened to impede Albania's bid for European Union membership, viewing the case as politically motivated. Albanian officials vehemently denied these claims, citing the independence of their judiciary system.
In an interesting turn of events, while imprisoned, Beleris was elected to the European Parliament in June 2023 as part of Greece's governing conservative party. He was granted a brief five-day leave to attend the parliament's opening session in Strasbourg the following month.
Expressing gratitude on social media, Beleris thanked Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for including him on the party's ballot, stating it "changed the course of my history." Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis described Beleris' release as "certainly a positive development" but emphasized that the previous 17 months of imprisonment would not be forgotten.
Beleris has announced his intention to appeal his case to the European Court of Human Rights, claiming he was "crippled by the Albanian regime." He plans to focus on issues affecting the Greek ethnic minority and the rule of law in his role as a Greek Member of the European Parliament.
The case of Fredis Beleris highlights the complex interplay of ethnic relations, property rights, and political tensions in the region. Albania, which declared independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, has been navigating these issues since its transition from communism began in 1991. The country applied for EU membership in 2009 and has been a candidate since 2014, with cases like Beleris' potentially impacting its aspirations.
"But now, exercising the duties of the Greek MEP, I will be able to focus on the issues of the Greek ethnic minority and the rule of law, without fear but only with passion."
The Greek minority in Albania, estimated at around 1.17% of the population, has been represented by organizations like Omonoia since 1991. Property disputes remain a contentious issue, particularly in areas like Himara, where allegations of ethnic bias in land distribution have surfaced.
As Albania continues its journey towards potential EU membership, cases like that of Fredis Beleris serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing ethnic relations, judicial independence, and international diplomacy in the Balkan region.
