Jailed Ethnic Greek MEP Fredis Beleris Granted Leave to Attend European Parliament's Opening Session

Albanian citizen Fredis Beleris, recently elected as a member of the European Parliament, arrives in Athens for a five-day leave from prison to attend the parliament's opening session. Beleris, who was convicted of vote-buying in Albania, denies the charges and claims they are politically motivated.

Albanian citizen and newly elected European Parliament member Fredis Beleris arrived in Athens on Monday to attend the parliament's opening session in Strasbourg. Beleris was granted a five-day leave from his two-year prison sentence for vote-buying in Albania.

Beleris, 51, has denied the charges, alleging that the case against him is politically motivated. He was elected with the support of Greece's conservative New Democracy party, receiving 238,801 votes and securing a place among the seven MEPs representing the party.

Although he won last year's municipal elections in Himare, Albania, Beleris was unable to assume office due to his arrest and subsequent conviction. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has strongly backed Beleris, emphasizing the political undertones of his prosecution.

(With inputs from agencies.)