(GHM/IFEX) – A journalist has been sentenced to jail in Greece. On 18 May 1999, journalist Dimitris Rizos, editor and publisher of the daily “Adesmeftos Typos”, was convicted and given a five-month suspended sentence for insulting George Papazoglou, a former cadre of the newspaper. The incriminating text did in fact include insulting characterisations of Papazoglou. […]
(GHM/IFEX) – A journalist has been sentenced to jail in Greece. On 18 May
1999, journalist Dimitris Rizos, editor and publisher of the daily
“Adesmeftos Typos”, was convicted and given a five-month suspended sentence
for insulting George Papazoglou, a former cadre of the newspaper. The
incriminating text did in fact include insulting characterisations of
Papazoglou. Rizos was set free on appeal.
Background Information
In Greece, insult carries a maximum one-year sentence, but sentences usually
do not exceed two months, or four months if a defendant wishes to appeal.
The minimum sentence to have the right to appeal is four months.
Send appeals to authorities:
all
similar ones which are currently pending before appeals courts
the
globe that press offences should be dealt with under the civil code. Anybody
who feels wrongfully harmed can seek redress through the civil courts in the
form of a retraction, apology or compensatory payment for demonstrable
damages
flow
of ideas and opinions is quite plainly not compatible with democratic
principles
Appeals To
Mr. George Papandreou
Foreign Minister
Athens, Greece
Fax: +30 1 3681433Mr. Dimitris Reppas
Minister of Press and Information
Athens, Greece
Fax: +30 1 3606969Mr. Evangelos Yannopoulos
Minister of Justice
Athens, Greece
Fax : +30 1 77 55 835
Please copy your appeals to GHM.
