REPORTS
Law & Order
Penal System
Police Violence & Arbitrariness
Fundamental Rights
Refugee & Migrant Rights
Excessive police violence against defendants in a courtroom
On 8-7-2021, the defense attorneys of 11 Turkish and Kurdish refugees who were being tried before the First Three-Member Court of Criminal Appeals, denounced the conditions of the trial and the treatment of their clients during a brief break in the proceedings.
According to the complaint, during the half-hour break that took place in the trial that day and whilst the lawyers were communicating with their clients, masked police officers entered the courtroom and tried to forcibly remove the defendants.
Despite the protests of the defendants and their lawyers, the defendants were dragged away and subjected to extreme violence and vulgar insults, with the policemen punching and kicking them. One elderly defendant who had undergone heart surgery 2 years ago was repeatedly elbowed in the chest, as a result of which he was transferred a few hours later to the hospital, whilst the interpreter of the trial was also beaten.
See more about the issue in 1, 2 as well as in this announcement from the Athens Bar Association on the conditions of the trial, which they describe as offensive to justice and the legal order.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the actions of the police authorities must be governed by certain principles such as the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of the abusive exercise of police power, and the respect and protection of human rights.
Although the police may use force in order to enforce the law, this does not mean that all use of force on their part is legal. On the contrary, the arbitrary use of violence is a dangerous phenomenon for a democracy.
In this particular case, as highlighted by the defense attorneys, the defendants were dragged away from a criminal trial and subjected to extreme violence and vulgar insults by masked police officers.
These phenomena, especially when they take place in a courtroom during the trial of a criminal case (even if it has been temporarily suspended), are not in line with the principles of the rule of law.
Bank Account number: 1100 0232 0016 560
IBAN: GR56 0140 1100 1100 0232 0016 560
BIC: CRBAGRAA
In a time where the very foundations of democracy are gradually being eroded by the rise of extreme nationalism, alt-right movements, the spread of disinformation and corporate capture, the efforts of organisations such as Vouliwatch are more relevant than ever.
We rely on the generosity of each and every one of you to continue with our efforts for more transparency and accounta
By financially supporting Vouliwatch you support our litigation strategy, our campaigns for transparency and accountability in the political system, the development of new civic tech tools, our research projects and last but not least our impartial and accurate
