Sotiris Bletsas

{{Short description|Greek activist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}

Sotiris Bletsas ({{langx|el|Σωτήρης Μπλέτσας}}; {{langx|rup|Sutir Bletsa}}[https://dinitrandu.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/47727006-Bana-Armaneasc%C4%83-Nr43-44.pdf Bana Armâneascâ, Nr. 1/2 (43/44), 2006] {{in lang|rup}}. p. 26.) 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.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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204195921/http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/bhr/english/countries/greece/comunicatafa.doc|date=2012-02-04}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.nakratzas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=78 |title=Dr. G. Nakratzas - Political advicer of EFA - 11.2 |access-date=2007-09-13 |archive-date=2012-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208104656/http://www.nakratzas.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=78 |url-status=dead }} The case drew protest from the Greek Helsinki Monitor[http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/bhr/english/index.html The BALKAN Human Rights Web Pages] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070118024825/http://www.greekhelsinki.gr/bhr/english/index.html |date=2007-01-18 }} and from abroad.[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]

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."Minority Language Activist Bletsas Found Not Guilty in Historic Court Decision", {{cite web |url=http://www.florina.org/html/2001/2001_bletsas_acquitted.html |title=2001 Minority Language Activist Bletsas Found Not Guilty |accessdate=2007-01-17 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130104046/http://www.florina.org/html/2001/2001_bletsas_acquitted.html |archivedate=2007-11-30 }}

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.{{cite journal|url=https://farsharotu.org/community-news-22/|title=Community News|journal=The Newsletter of the Society Farsharotu|volume=16|issue=1–2|date=25 April 2003}}