Greek media turn on Fredi Beleri over vote in favor of Elon Musk supported appointment

Greek media, which once portrayed Fredi Beleri as a hero representing the Greek minority in Albania, have now labeled him as a figure with a “dubious past.” The shift in perception comes after Beleri’s controversial vote in favor of Fidias Panayiotou, a Cypriot YouTuber and MEP, to serve as Deputy Chair of the European Parliament Committee on Protecting Democracy. The move has provoked sharp criticism from Greek MEPs and raised questions about Beleri’s judgment and credibility.

Why is this important: It is ironic that the same Greek media that once glorified him as a victim of politically motivated persecution by Albania is now raising concerns about his controversial past. This includes a 2023 conviction for vote-buying and longstanding allegations of involvement in murder of two unarmed soldiers during a 1994 attack on an Albanian military post, linked to the nationalist terrorist group MAVI.

Context: Major Greek daily Kathimerini described Beleri’s nomination of Panayiotou as reckless, portraying Panayiotou as a “YouTube prankster” unfit for the position. The vote also triggered a strong response from Kostas Arvanitis, a Syriza MEP, who accused Beleri of collaborating with far-right forces in the EU and promoting figures tied to Elon Musk, whose influence on European politics has been increasingly criticized.

Panayiotou’s history includes not only his association with Musk but also inflammatory remarks on the “Turkish occupation of Cyprus,” which sparked outrage in Greece. His reputation worsened after he posted a video showing himself dodging train fares and unpaid bills at a luxury hotel in Japan.

Meanwhile, Eliza Vozemberg, an MEP from the ruling New Democracy party, distanced herself from Beleri’s nomination, calling it a “personal choice” that did not reflect the party’s stance.

Beleri’s arrest and criminal allegations: Beleri’s political troubles intensified following his 2023 arrest in Albania, where he was caught red-handed attempting to buy votes during the mayoral election in Himara. Despite being incarcerated, he won the election with strong support from Greek voters transported to Albania. Albanian courts sentenced him to two years in prison, and under national law, he was barred from assuming office.

His case drew condemnation from Greece, which claimed that his prosecution was politically motivated. Albania, however, maintains that the case was handled by independent, U.S. and EU-supported justice institutions. The allegations surrounding Beleri’s involvement with the MAVI terrorist organization, linked to a deadly attack on an Albanian military outpost in 1994, have further deepened mistrust. In Albania, many see Beleri’s political career as a symbol of Greek interference in domestic affairs.

Additionally, Albania’s Law on Decriminalization, implemented under EU pressure, bars individuals convicted of serious crimes from holding public office. Albanian critics argue that the EU’s perceived tolerance of Beleri’s election as an MEP contradicts the standards it demands from Albania, underscoring double standards in EU policy.