April 26, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

The prosecutor of the Supreme Court announced his readiness to fight organized crime.

The Supreme Court Prosecutor Vasilios Pliotas requested immediate information from the police in organized crime cases in order to promptly initiate legal proceedings in response to report Minister of Citizens Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis.

The prosecutor of the Supreme Court, in his letter to the Greek police, notes that “the national security authorities that initiate ex officio criminal cases must notify the prosecutor’s office and send a copy of the request in accordance with the terms of article 32. The Code of Criminal Procedure requires the immediate acceleration of pre-trial proceedings and priority consideration of cases in court. “

Mr. Pliotas also states that in each case of organized crime cases, “the possibility of going to the plenary session of the Court of Appeal to initiate criminal proceedings and order an investigation by an experienced investigator who is appealing,” will be considered, noting that similar decisions have already occurred many times.

At the same time, the prosecutor of the Supreme Court emphasizes that there are prosecutors dealing with drugs, terrorism and organized crime who provide – and can be used in the future – their services to law enforcement agencies. While in terms of adopting legislative measures to protect society from serious crimes, it indicates that legislation is the responsibility of the state, and not of the judges.

“Prosecutors, as life bailiffs in the performance of their duties, apply the Constitution and laws and do not involve the judiciary in the duties of other public officials. And this is not impossible, after all, they can demand the replacement of the legislative or executive branch with an indication of either legislative provisions , or administrative options for the most expedient solution, ”the statement reads.

Increase in terms of imprisonment

At the same time, taking into account the legislative changes in a number of provisions of the Criminal Code, which were adopted on the eve of the last parliamentary elections, the Ministry of Justice is considering the possibility of including provisions related to organized crime.

Previously, provisions were “blocked” that increase the terms of detention of convicts for organized crime, robbery, murder, rape and other serious crimes. Under the new laws, the sentence will increase by about three or four years over what is currently the case.

That is, if a person found guilty of robbery and sentenced to 12 years in prison in accordance with the current legislation is now in prison for only 4 (!) Years, then under a new decree this term will increase to 7 years.

The same will happen with charges of organized crime. For example, a criminal was sentenced to 15 years in prison for organized crime. Under the current legislation, he will serve only 6 years, and under the new rules, he will remain in prison for 9 years.

Changes will also be made to life imprisonment – a punishment usually imposed for murder, but also for other serious crimes. According to the current regulations, life imprisonment means 16 years in prison, while it is proposed that life imprisonment be at least 18-20 years.

The Justice Department is also looking into tightening the punishment system for those convicted of organized and serious crimes, as well as the provision of their stay in prison as accused for at least six months without the opportunity to apply for parole.





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