The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has agreed to review a case brought by New Democracy MEP Fredi Beleri concerning his arrest and pre-trial detention in Albania.
The arrest occurred just two days before the 2023 municipal elections in Himare, a predominantly ethnic Greek municipality, sparking controversy and allegations of political interference.
The ECHR has set June 26 as the deadline for Beleri and the Albanian government to negotiate an out-of-court settlement. Should they fail to agree, both parties must submit arguments for a full hearing before the court.
Beleri welcomed the court’s decision: “This marks an important first step toward justice. It validates my claim and sheds light on the political manipulation targeting both me and the Greek minority in Albania.”
The arrest drew sharp criticism from Greek officials, who labeled it as politically motivated. Beleri’s legal team, headed by constitutional law expert Nikos Alivizatos, emphasized the significance of the ECHR’s decision to proceed, noting that most similar petitions are typically dismissed at this stage.