The amendment of Article 187 of the Penal Code by law 4908/2022

Article 72 of Law 4908/2022 amends Article 187 of the Penal Code, extending the “type” of offences that may be defined as organised crime, as well as removing the possibility that sentences may be suspended or converted, and removing the suspensory effect of any appeal for convictions that violate Article 187. These amendments were strongly criticised as they were considered to violate the rights of the accused as well as the fundamental principles and concepts of criminal law.

1. Article 72 of Law 4908/2022 amends Article 187 of the Penal Code which deals with organised crime. Specifically, it a) in the second subparagraph of paragraph 3, adds a reference to offences against the legal goods of personal freedom and property, and b) adds paragraph 6, removing the possibility that sentences may be suspended or converted for criminal offences related to the specific article, and removing the suspensory effect of any appeal. 

According to the document that has been posted on the website of the Parliament in the field Explanatory Memorandum & Other Accompanying Reports (see pp. 68-69 and 103), the addition of offences against personal liberty and property was done on the basis that the specific nature of the type of offences associated with organised crime may “pose a significant risk to public safety and social peace.” Similarly, the reason given for the removal of the possibility of converting or suspending such sentences was to prevent the perpetration of such acts, and optimising public safety and social peace.

(a) these amendments may violate or jeopardise fundamental concepts and principles of criminal law, such as the presumption of innocence and the principle of proportionality;

(b) it unjustifiably extends the content of Article 187 and increases the severity of penalties;

(c)  it reinforces the “dangerous” notion of a “dangerous perpetrator”;

(d) deprives perpetrators of the possibility of remorse and reintegration; and

(e) has been put to the vote without prior consultation or by way of a preparatory committee.

The Greek Bar Association also made the following comments in their announcements of 24-3-2022 and  2-4-2022:

1. a) they expressed their strong opposition to the “practice of sudden, fragmented legislation,” that appears designed to specifically respond to current issues and appears to satisfy a “common sense of justice”;
2. b) they denounced the violation of the rules of good legislation and the introduction of this bill for a vote without a prior substantive consultation.

(the article was introduced for voting as Article 68 in the section entitled ‘Other Provisions’, however it did not form part of the bill when it was put to consultation, (which, according to the Regulatory Impact Analysis, occurred between 8.11.2021 and 22.11.2021,) nor could we find another bill containing the provision that had been put to consultation.)

(c) they consider it inconceivable for a state governed by the rule of law not to allow the suspension or conversion of sentences, or for the suspensory effect of appeal to be denied, especially in the case of a conviction for a misdemeanour. This is because such practices restrict the rights of the accused, crush the presumption of innocence and violate the principle of proportionality.  They also limit and challenge the freedom and ability of the judge to sentence freely as they see fit. 

1. d) they noted that this provision and the possibility of its retroactive effect appears to attempt to prevent social activity such as strikes and trade union demands, and ensures that citizens accused of committing even misdemeanours of the sort, would now face a prison sentence.

Concerns were also raised about the effects that these provisions may have on the right to a fair trial as well their implications for the principle of the separation of powers. More broadly, concerns abound regarding the purpose that these provisions may serve (for more on this see 1, 2, 3).