Beleri joins New Democracy MEPs in virtual debut amid prison confinement

June 19, 2024 — Fredi Beleri, the elected mayor of Himara, made a significant appearance via video conference at the first meeting of Mitsotakis' New Democracy MEPs in Greece. Despite his current confinement in Albanian prisons for the past 13 months, Beleri obtained special permission from Albanian authorities to participate remotely.

The meeting, covered extensively by Greek media, focused on Beleri's briefing to his colleagues regarding his upcoming appeal hearing. This hearing will determine whether he will be released or face additional months of incarceration, as reported by Protothema.

Expressing eagerness to meet his colleagues in person soon, Beleri voiced strong confidence in the potential of the Eurogroup and the European People's Party to effectively collaborate for the betterment of their country.

Among the participants were key figures such as Thanasis Bakolas, Secretary General of the EPP, and Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission.

Earlier discussions within the EPP included Eliza Vozeberg reading Beleri's statement in support of Manfred Weber for EPP President and Vangelis Meimarakis as his deputy.