Albania Allows Jailed Greek MEP to Attend European Parliament Session

Fredi Beleri Heimara

In a controversial move, Albania granted permission on Sunday for Fredi Beleri, a dual Greek national currently imprisoned on electoral corruption charges, to travel to France. Beleri, who was elected as a Greek MEP in May 2023, will attend the European Parliament’s inaugural session.

The 52-year-old Beleri, a member of Albania’s Greek minority, is serving a two-year sentence for allegedly buying votes during his campaign for mayor of Himara, a town in southern Albania. His imprisonment has caused tension between Albania and Greece, with Greece arguing for his release to fulfill his duties as an elected MEP.