Two newly elected MEPs, Ilaria Salis and Fredi Beleri, are set to challenge the rule of law in Hungary and Albania after winning seats in the European Parliament despite facing political charges. Ilaria Salis was detained in Hungary over a year ago on charges of assaulting neo-Nazi extremists, which she denies. Her father expressed his happiness over her election and hopes for her release soon. Similarly, Fredi Beleri, a Greek national, was convicted of vote-buying after being elected mayor of Himara in Albania. Both cases have raised questions about the independence of the judicial system in these countries.
Ilaria Salis and Fredi Beleri are now set to take up their seats in the European Parliament, with Salis being granted immunity from legal proceedings in other EU member states. However, the process to secure her freedom could take several weeks, potentially affecting her ability to participate in the opening proceedings of the new five-year term. While Salis was released from jail to house arrest, her father described her conditions as very tough. He believes her arrest in Hungary was a political action, amidst concerns about the country’s rightward shift towards authoritarianism.
Similarly, Fredi Beleri’s arrest in Albania has been seen as politically motivated, with his party members claiming there is no evidence or proof of any crime. Despite being convicted of vote-buying, Beleri has denied the charges and plans to appeal, with the possibility of taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights. His case has garnered attention from existing MEPs, including Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who had threatened to block Albania’s EU accession talks until the issue was resolved.
While EU rules aim to protect MEPs from political persecution, lawmakers are not completely immune from the justice system. MEPs can still be detained if caught red-handed, as in the case of Eva Kaili in the Qatargate scandal. The European Parliament may also agree to lift an individual lawmaker’s immunity, as happened with Ioannis Lagos after his far-right Golden Dawn party was deemed a criminal organization. Despite potential challenges, MEPs can still retain their office even after conviction or imprisonment, though logistical difficulties may arise in performing their duties.
Ilaria Salis and Fredi Beleri’s journey to the European Parliament highlights the complexities of balancing political immunity with accountability. Their cases raise important questions about the rule of law in Hungary and Albania and the challenges faced by lawmakers with pending legal issues. As they begin their terms as MEPs, they will likely continue to advocate for justice, democracy, and European values, despite the obstacles they have faced. Their presence in the European Parliament serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for judicial independence and political integrity within the EU.
