Sotiris Bletsas Explained

Sotiris Bletsas (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Σωτήρης Μπλέτσας; Aromanian; Arumanian; Macedo-Romanian: Sutir Bletsa^[1]) is an architect and Aromanian language activist from Greece.

In 1995, at an Aromanian festival in Greece, he distributed some European Bureau for Lesser-Used Languages (EBLUL) material about minority languages in Greece.^[2] In 2001, on an initiative of the MP for Edessa Evgenios Haïtidis, he was charged with "dissemination of false information" (contrary to article 191 of the Greek Penal Code) who reportedly was supported by the leadership of the Panhellenic Federation of Cultural Associations of Vlachs.^[3] The case drew protest from the Greek Helsinki Monitor^[4] and from abroad.^{[2] [5]}

He was first found guilty and sentenced to fifteen months in jail, suspended for three years, and fined 500,000 drachmas; however, he successfully appealed the decision and was subsequently found not guilty on 18 October 2001.^[6]

Bletsas has held the position of director in the Greek branch of the EBLUL, established in January 2002, being among the several Aromanians to have done so.^[7]

See also

• Aromanian language
• Human rights in Greece

Notes and References

1. https://dinitrandu.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/47727006-Bana-Armaneasc%C4%83-Nr43-44.pdf Bana Armâneascâ, Nr. 1/2 (43/44), 2006
2. A protest of the Trâ Armânami Association of French Aromanians outlining the details of Bletsas' arrest and conviction (in French) http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/bhr/english/countries/greece/comunicatafa.doc
3. Web site: Dr. G. Nakratzas - Political advicer of EFA - 11.2 . 2007-09-13 . 2012-02-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120208104656/http://www.nakratzas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=78 . dead .
4. http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/bhr/english/index.html The BALKAN Human Rights Web Pages
5. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/omk/sipade3?PROG=WQ&L=EN&PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-2001-1325+0+DOC+SGML+V0//EN&LEVEL=2 E-1325/01
6. "Minority Language Activist Bletsas Found Not Guilty in Historic Court Decision", Web site: 2001 Minority Language Activist Bletsas Found Not Guilty . 2007-01-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071130104046/http://www.florina.org/html/2001/2001_bletsas_acquitted.html . 2007-11-30 .
7. Community News. The Newsletter of the Society Farsharotu. 16. 1–2. 25 April 2003.