Today, Albania allowed a member of the Greek minority, Freddy Belleri, sentenced to prison for alleged electoral corruption, but recently elected in Greece to the European Parliament (EP), to go to Strasbourg and participate in the inaugural session of the parliament.
"Based on his request, the detainee Dionisis Beleri received permission to go to Strasbourg from July 15 to 20, in order to participate in the sessions of the European Parliament," announced the spokeswoman of the Albanian prison.
After the specified period, he must return to serve his sentence in Fieri prison, the statement added.
The EP plenary session will be held from July 16 to 19.
Dionisis Fredi Beleri, 52, who holds dual citizenship, was sentenced by an Albanian court to two years in prison for vote-buying ahead of the May 2023 mayoral election in Himara, southern Albania.
He was arrested two days before the municipal elections, accused of offering 40.000 lek (360 euros at the time) in exchange for votes.
Belleri was, however, elected as a member of the European Parliament in the June 2024 elections, on the list of the conservative New Democracy party of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Because of this case, Greece accused Albania of violating political rights, which the official Tirana rejected.
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