May 17, 2024

Athens News

News in English from Greece

New Greek Criminal Code: prison sentences for debts to the state over 100,000 euros


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The prison sentences provided for in the new criminal code for overdue debts to the state of more than 100,000 euros exceed 3 years.

In fact, in list of debts to the state that remain unpaid and not serviced for more than 4 monthsdebts arising as a result of non-compliance with fines imposed by the courts will also be included, together with other increases resulting from the accrual of interest.

Thus, the number of debtors whose debts to the state exceed 100,000 euroswho face a prison sentence of at least 1 year. These periods may exceed 3 years if the total amount of unpaid debts exceeds 200,000 euros. The debtor avoids imprisonment and remains unpunished if he fully repays his debt by the time the criminal case is considered, at whatever stage it is, or if he provides an installment plan.

In addition, if he disputes the debt, that is, the amount collected from him by the tax authorities, he has the right to appeal to the Dispute Resolution Office and then, if DSD does not protect him, to the administrative courts, in which case criminal proceedings may be “frozen” until the final decision of the court.

In addition to debts to the tax authorities, imprisonment also applies to debts to legal entities governed by public law, companies and public sector organizations. The new Criminal Code also toughens penalties for crimes related to money laundering and money laundering.

The administrative fine of between 50,000 and 10 million euros remains unchanged. However, the fines have changed for cases where the profits from the violation cannot be calculated. They are increased to 4 million euros from 1 million euros.

In particular, if the criminal act of money laundering or any of the predicate offenses is committed for or on behalf of a legal entity by an individual acting individually or as a member of an authority or legal entity and holding a management position in them or having the power to represent them or make decisions on behalf of on their behalf, or exercise control over them, The following sanctions are imposed on a legal entity, collectively or separately:

  1. an administrative fine in the amount of 50,000 euros to 10,000,000 euros, either jointly or separately, or in the aggregate; an administrative fine in the amount of 50,000 euros to 10,000,000 euros. The exact amount of the fine is set at no less than twice the amount of the profit obtained as a result of the violation, if the profit can be determined, or, if it cannot be determined, in the amount of 4,000,000 million euros instead of 1,000,000 euros, as was the case before so far;
  2. final or temporary, for a period of one month to two years, revocation or suspension of an operating license or a ban on doing business, or the liquidation of a legal entity or organization and its liquidation;
  3. a ban on carrying out certain types of activities, creating branches or increasing the authorized capital for the same period;
  4. permanent or temporary exclusion for the same period of time from government benefits, assistance, contracts for works and services, supplies, subsidies, advertising and public competitions.

PS Considering that the list of debts to the state also includes large fines, every resident of Greece risks ending up in debtor’s prison. After all, the list of acts for which fines ranging from 50 to 250 thousand euros are provided is growing every day. For example, a peasant who throws away five kittens will receive fine of 250 thousandand in addition to 8 years in prison if he won’t pay the finewill receive another 3 years in prison.

It is worth considering that for the murder of a person without aggravating circumstances in Greece they usually give no more than 10 years.



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