Greece

With Greece facing intense international criticism over unlawful pushbacks of migrants at its borders and wider human rights concerns related to migration and asylum, the Greek government has moved to silence groups and individuals documenting these abuses.

On 9 April 2021, Karaivaz was gunned down outside his home in broad daylight. Police said the killing suggested the involvement of organized crime groups, which have carried out a number of targeted killings in recent years, and which Karaivaz was known to have investigated.

New report finds that systemic challenges to press freedom mean that news that reflects poorly on the government does not get reported widely. The report also notes a lack of political will to ensure that journalists can operate safely.

Kostas Vaxevanis faces four criminal charges and up to 20 years in prison for his newspaper’s reporting on the Novartis pharmaceutical scandal. Ioanna Papadakou also faces charges in relation to the Novartis case and the so-called “Lagarde list” of possible tax evaders.

Under a new programme, the police would use hand-held devices to gather biometric information from people on a vast scale and cross check it against police, immigration, and private sector databases primarily for immigration purposes.

Those who spread what the government claims to be false information, and which is “capable of causing concern or fear to the public or undermining public confidence in the national economy, the country’s defense capacity or public health,” could be punished with up to five years in prison.

The proposed amendments to Article 191 of the Civil Code would introduce fines and jail sentences for journalists found guilty of publishing “false news”.

The murder bears all the signs of a targeted assassination. Press groups have called on the authorities to establish whether the attack was linked to Karaivaz’s work.

Attacks on journalists reporting on the arrival of migrants in Greece is not only an attack on the right to freedom of expression, but a restriction of citizens’ access and right to information.

The anarchist group Rouvikonas has claimed responsibility for the attack in which 15 individuals armed with metal bars destroyed computer equipment and furniture; no-one was injured.

An explosive device placed under the journalist’s car was detonated in the early hours of the morning outside her home; no-one was injured.

Supporters of Golden Dawn assaulted and harassed reporters and photojournalists at a demonstration against the government’s expected approval this week of a deal changing neighbouring Macedonia’s name to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Three journalists were arrested and held overnight in an Athens police cell after the defence minister, Panos Kammenos, filed a defamation complaint against them.

Despite an ongoing trial that has sapped its popular appeal, members of the Greek press are still under pressure from neo-Nazi, far-right organisation Golden Dawn. Journalists have been targeted with libel charges and physical violence.

Political commentator, cartoonist Andreas Petroulakis says politicians’ cases create atmosphere of “fear, threat and censorship.”

Political commentator, cartoonist Andreas Petroulakis says politicians’ cases create atmosphere of “fear, threat and censorship.”