On 30 January 2023, author and former MP Petros Tatsopoulos was arrested by police after an event at the Free Thinking Zone bookstore. The arrest was made following a lawsuit for libel filed by TV presenter and parliamentary candidate (with the Hellenic Solution party) Filippos Kabouris, following a facebook post by the author on Facebook.
According to Mr. Tatsopoulos, the lawsuit against him concerned his comment, posted on Facebook about [Mr. Kambouris’] claim that he was ‘saved by a miracle performed by St. Ephraim’, which the TV presenter, according to the defendant, ‘remembered while launching his election campaign.’ The post poked fun at the claim and stated, “from trash tv to church and from church to parliament: a guaranteed path to success.”
The arrest of Mr. Tatsopoulos once again brings up the issue of the application of, according to the Journalists’ Union, an anachronistic law allowing for the arrest of the defendant within 48 hours of the filing of a defamation suit.
On the basis of Article 417 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, a perpetrator of any misdemeanour may be arrested within 48 hours of the act, which in this case was the Facebook post, for the misdemeanour of defamation and for the misdemeanour of insult.
The possibility of being arrested in this way for allegations related to defamation has been criticised as anachronistic and contrary to the freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as protected by Article 14 of the Constitution by both the Journalists’ Union of Athens Daily Newspapers and the International and European Federation of Journalists.
Given the Constitution’s guarantee of the freedom of expression and freedom of the press (Article 14), the arrest of the writer and former MP Petros Tatsopoulos after a libel complaint against him for expressing an opinion critical of a public figure and parliamentary candidate, reveals an anachronistic legal framework that fails to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
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
