The plight of Albanian inmates in Greek prisons has raised significant concerns in recent years, with approximately 1600 Albanians currently serving sentences—a standard arithmetic figure in recent times. However, what sets their situation apart is the apparent discrimination they face within the Greek judicial system.
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| Korydallos Prison |
A significant portion of Albanians in Greek prisons have been convicted based solely on opinions rather than concrete evidence, receiving disproportionately harsh sentences compared to locals for similar criminal offenses, as reported by the Albanian portal in Greece, FJALA JONË.
One such case is that of Shaban Safet Veizi, who endured a 20-year and 5-month sentence for possession of 16 kilograms of hashish. Despite being released under the condition of a 10-year ban from leaving Greece, Veizi's case highlights the severity of punishment meted out to Albanian inmates. He himself stated in a television interview that he was convicted for the sole fact that he is of Cham origin (Chameria is a region in the North of Greece and was populated by Albanians until the beginning of the 20th century and according to some facts and sources this population Albanians were forcibly displaced by the Greeks of the time).
Another alarming instance is the case of Niko Kordhishta from Fier, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of theft and attempted robbery. Currently detained in Melandrino prison in Amfissa, Kordhishta is set to face the Court of Appeal on May 31st, seeking representation from the Albanian embassy and Albanian lawyers.
According to Kordhishta, he was convicted by the Court of First Instance in Agrinio based on accusations that have yet to be substantiated with evidence. His arrest in a brutal manner on December 1, 2020, resulted in the subsequent loss of his pregnant wife, a Greek citizen, and their unborn child.
Kordhishta's trial, which commenced on October 26th and concluded on December 20th, 2021, underscores the prolonged legal battles faced by many Albanian inmates in Greece. Having arrived in Greece at the age of 13, Kordhishta, now 45, is a married father of two with a profession as a chef since the day of his arrest.
Having served 3.5 years and worked an additional 3 years in prison, Kordhishta seeks justice and nothing but justice for a crime he maintains he did not commit.
While Kordhishta's case has garnered some attention in both Albanian and Greek media, it sheds light on a broader issue of discrimination and unfair treatment faced by Albanian inmates within the Greek judicial system. As such cases continue to surface, it becomes imperative to address systemic biases and ensure that justice is served impartially, irrespective of nationality or ethnicity.