The Minister of Justice, Giorgos Floridis, positions himself regarding the changes expected in the Criminal Code and responds to the strong feeling of impunity that exists in our country.
In particular, speaking to the English-language digital edition of “Vima”, George Floridis comments on the issues that have plagued the Greek Justice for decades and expresses his optimism that delays in judicial decisions will soon be a thing of the past.
What is the biggest problem for Greek justice today?
Undoubtedly, the lack of speed in judicial decisions. Today, a decision takes about 4 years to issue on average, and the goal of the changes we are implementing across the spectrum of Justice is to reach about 1.5 years. This performance is at the level of the average time of the member states of the European Union.
The problem of the delay in the administration of justice is large and very serious in our country and one of the biggest obstacles to development in Greece. Do you think it can be overcome? And in what ways? As a country and as citizens, we have an intolerance for reforms.
I believe we will succeed. The undertaking is difficult and demanding. However, we are working with a combined and systematic plan in four simultaneous fields: a) Legislative changes in the overall procedural framework of Justice b) Implementation of the New Judicial Charter of the country, which reorganizes the structure and operation of judges and courts c) Completion of projects and of Digital Justice procedures d) Strengthening and renewing the logistical infrastructure of the courts for the more efficient organization and operation of the judiciary.
In changes and reforms, the main obstacle, not only in our country, is the fear of those involved. That is why preparation, deep knowledge, persuasion, consent and a high degree of participation in all stages of change are needed. From enactment, implementation process to completion. In particular for the Greek Justice today, I would point out something very positive: The changes that are being made have matured a lot and have a positive sign for everyone, the institution, the citizens and the country.
Citizens often after a crime talk about toughening sentences, about quick releases. There is a strong feeling of impunity in our country. Will this change, Minister, with the changes to the new Criminal Code?
The bill on the changes to the Penal Code being discussed these days in the Parliament does not aim to tighten the penalties. In particular, it does not increase the misdemeanor penalties, from the level they already are. What it does is that it reduces suspensions in the imposition of sentences so that offenders are not released immediately and repeat offenses, which renders the preventive and deterrent nature of sentences useless. In conclusion, with the New Criminal Law we want the penalties to be not virtual but to be served.
We believe that serving the sentence or part of it is exactly what combats and limits the feeling of impunity, which disturbs citizens and erodes our society.
A big bet not only for justice but for the country as a whole is the digitization of its services. In this area, what changes are being promoted that will improve the daily life of citizens who have cases in the justice system and also in the investment sector?
This period is a golden opportunity for the Greek Judiciary to modernize with the digitization of its processes and services and to definitively enter the 21st century. The digital projects carried out are financed by the Recovery Fund and the EU Structural Funds and amount to 220,000,000 euros.
These projects will simplify, homogenize and connect the administrative and judicial procedures of all the bodies of Justice, resulting in a better relationship between citizens and their judicial cases and also the liberation of the country from restrictions and obstacles in its investment and financial relations with the international community.
Is the ex officio reinstated in the prosecution of bank executives and executives of the State and Legal Entities under Public Law that had been abolished why do you consider this important?
It was our programmatic commitment for reasons of equality to horizontally provide for ex officio prosecution for all felonies regardless of the body of the protected legal good.
When will the Tempe train crash trial begin? Hasn’t there been a long delay?
The tragic accident in Tempe and the answers requested by the victims’ relatives from the Justice Department was one of the issues for which the Ministry of Justice was quick to take initiatives from the first moment in order to speed up the judicial development of the case.
In the new Code of Criminal Procedure we make a serious change, where in these crimes, we remove the obligation to have a preliminary trial, that is, the obligation to issue a will. So we allow the Prosecutor, once the questioning is over, to take the case straight to the hearing.
The trial is therefore set to take place in June, in record time compared to the procedures prevailing to date, precisely because we brought this provision that changes the Code. Otherwise we would again have a long delay, in a very critical case.
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