{"id":110966,"date":"2025-09-11T10:45:56","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/?post_type=comparative_guide&#038;p=110966"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:12:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T11:12:46","slug":"greece-white-collar-crime","status":"publish","type":"comparative_guide","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/chapter\/greece-white-collar-crime\/","title":{"rendered":"Greece: White Collar Crime"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-110966","comparative_guide","type-comparative_guide","status-publish","hentry","guides-white-collar-crime","jurisdictions-greece"],"acf":[],"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Anagnostopoulos<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/01\/Anagnostopoulos-logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"above_title":"<div class=\"guide-author-details\"><span class=\"guide-author\">Anagnostopoulos<\/span><span class=\"guide-author-logo\"><img src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1\/2019\/01\/Anagnostopoulos-logo.jpg\"\/><\/span><\/div>","below_title":"<span class=\"guide-intro\">This country specific Q&amp;A provides an overview of White Collar Crime laws and regulations applicable in Greece<\/span><div class=\"guide-content\"><div class=\"filter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" placeholder=\"Search questions and answers...\" class=\"filter-container__search-field\">\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<ol class=\"custom-counter\">\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the key financial crime offences applicable to companies and their directors and officers? (E.g. Fraud, money laundering, false accounting, tax evasion, market abuse, corruption, sanctions.) Please explain the governing laws or regulations.<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The Greek Criminal Code (hereinafter GCC) contains various provisions regarding financial crimes, including various forms of fraud (articles 386, 386A, 386B, 397 GCC), embezzlement (article 375 GCC), breach of fiduciary duties (article 390 GCC), corrupt practices (articles 236, 237 and 396 GCC) and obstruction of competition (article 395 GCC). A significant number of key financial offences is also prescribed in special criminal laws, e.g. Law 4557\/2018 against money laundering (as amended by subsequent Laws 4816\/2021 and 5090\/2024), Law 4548\/2018, which establishes the criminal liability of the Board of Directors of companies, Law 4174\/2013 on tax evasion offences (as amended by subsequent Laws 4987\/2022 and 5104\/2024), and Law 3959\/2011 concerning market abuse. As a rule, only individuals can be held criminally liable under Greek law, while the above offences are divided into misdemeanours (punishable with imprisonment of up to five years) and felonies (punishable with imprisonment of up to twenty years, after the enactment of recent Law 5090\/2024). Sanctions may as well include administrative fines and monetary penalties against individuals or legal entities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Can corporates be held criminally liable? If yes, how is this determined\/attributed?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As mentioned under Q 1, only individuals are, as a rule, criminally liable under Greek law. However, in certain cases, corporate conduct may be punishable, especially in the context of anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and anti-cartel legislation, when it is linked with positive gains or advantages. The company is liable as an entity \u2013 notwithstanding the individual liability of employees \u2013 when there is some type of profit, gain or advantage to the company. The severity of punishment in these cases (in the form of administrative penalties or fines) usually depends on the type of profit or gain, and the annual turnover of the company.<\/p>\n<p>Articles 134 and 135 of recent Law 5090\/2024 contain specific provisions regarding the attribution of hybrid criminal liability to legal entities on grounds of corrupt practices, but there are no examples of their use in practice yet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the commonly prosecuted offences personally applicable to company directors and officers?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Criminal liability of corporate executives is commonly sought for financial offences such as fraud, market abuse, anti-competitive practices, corrupt practices, and money-laundering. The commission of said offences by the directors or officers of an entity may be aimed at securing certain advantages or gains to the company, or in cases such as embezzlement or breach of fiduciary duties, etc. they may be directed against the entity itself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Who are the lead prosecuting authorities which investigate and prosecute financial crime and what are their responsibilities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The responsibility for the investigation of financial crimes lies with regulatory and prosecuting authorities (depending on the scope of the investigation), while the responsibility for criminal prosecution always lies with the Prosecutor\u2019s Office. Whereas the prosecution of financial offences falls, as a principle, into the competence of the Financial Crime Prosecutor, serious financial crimes against the interests of the European Union are investigated and prosecuted by the European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (hereinafter EPPO). Regulatory authorities on the other hand, such as the Competition Commission or the Capital Markets Commission, may initiate an investigation and then forward any findings related to financial offences to the Prosecutor\u2019s Office for further actions. It is rather common for the SDOE (Greek Financial Crime Unit) or the Economic Police (a special unit within the Hellenic Police) to undertake the necessary preliminary investigative acts, i.e., evidence gathering, witness interviews etc., following a prosecutorial order. In cases of money laundering, the Greek Financial Intelligence Unit gathers all necessary information, and if there are grounds for the opening of criminal proceedings, all relevant evidence is forwarded to the Prosecutor\u2019s Office. The Prosecutor may subsequently open a case against individuals of interest, following standard criminal procedure, namely by conducting a preliminary investigation, filing charges, and making a referral to investigation (conducted by an investigating judge). In serious and complex cases (e.g., corruption, large-scale money laundering and fraud), it is not unusual for enforcement agencies and the Prosecutor to act to secure evidence, by issuing a warrant for search and seizure or freezing orders, even before any charges are filed or involved persons are called for questioning. As already noted, companies cannot be criminally prosecuted, but sanctions may be imposed against them in the form of administrative penalties for the actions of individuals, whose alleged criminal acts have benefited the company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Which courts hear cases of financial crime? Are they determined by tribunals, judges or juries?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Cases of financial crime are heard before courts which are solely composed of judges. Trials for misdemeanours may take place either before the Single &#8211; Judge or the Three-Member Court for Misdemeanours, while trials for felonies may either be heard before the Single-Judge or the Three-Member Appellate Court, which sit as a first-instance court. Appeals are heard by Three-Member Courts of Appeal presided by senior appellate judges (following the enactment of recent Law 5090\/2024).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How do the authorities initiate an investigation? (E.g. Are raids common, are there compulsory document production or evidence taking powers?)<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As a rule, an investigation is initiated by the Prosecutor (usually as a preliminary investigation), unless an agency or enforcement authority (e.g., in cases of money-laundering) gathers evidence and information earlier based on allegations of serious financial crimes. Even at this early stage, the competent authorities and the Prosecutor have broad powers to request from individuals or entities of interest the production of evidence, including collection of documentation and the conduct of witness interviews. In urgent cases, where there is a need for imminent evidence preservation, more assertive measures, like raids or freezing orders, may apply. However, such powers shall not be exercised in a manner that infringes professional secrecy and\/or the privilege against self-incrimination.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What powers do the authorities have to conduct interviews?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Throughout the pre-trial proceedings, investigative authorities (please see also Q 4) may conduct witness interviews, either in the context of a preliminary or a formal investigation. They may also interview suspects who have the right to silence as well as all the other applicable rights. The relevant framework is primarily to be found in the Greek Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter GCCP).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What rights do interviewees have regarding the interview process? (E.g. Is there a right to be represented by a lawyer at an interview? Is there an absolute or qualified right to silence? Is there a right to pre-interview disclosure? Are interviews recorded or transcribed?)<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Persons who have been summoned for the purposes of witness interviews are principally expected to co-operate with the investigative authorities, although confidentiality issues and professional privilege restrictions may apply. The presence of a lawyer is generally not allowed in the context of witness interviews. Suspects or accused persons on the other hand, have a series of rights, including the right to remain silent and avoid self-incrimination (article 104 GCCP), have access, and receive copies from the casefile before being interviewed, be assisted by a lawyer before and during the interview etc. They are also entitled to file written submissions and ask for evidence to be gathered. Interviews are transcribed and integrated into the casefile. Early disclosure of incriminating evidence in some categories of crimes (e.g., bribery offences) is linked to leniency provisions (e.g., article 263A GCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do some or all the laws or regulations governing financial crime have extraterritorial effect so as to catch conduct of nationals or companies operating overseas?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Greek criminal laws are applicable to offences committed by or against nationals abroad (in the latter case including entities with a seat in Greece), on condition that the pertinent acts are also punishable under the criminal laws of the State, where they occurred (articles 6,7 GCC). In exceptional cases, e.g., active bribery of foreign public officials abroad, Greek criminal laws are still applicable, even without the requirement of dual criminality. Despite this extraterritorial aspect of Greek criminal laws, the enforcement of said provisions or the imposition of penalties for acts committed in another jurisdiction, may be confronted with considerable difficulties, unless the requirements of bilateral or multilateral agreements on mutual assistance in criminal matters are met. Such procedures are more commonly simplified, for example, among member states of the EU. Greek courts may also assume jurisdiction for certain categories of offences governed by the universal justice principle (article 8 GCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Do the authorities commonly cooperate with foreign authorities? If so, under what arrangements?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Co-ordination between Greek agencies and their foreign counterparts is common practice, usually implemented in large-scale investigations, and covers a wide range of actions, including the exchange of information or evidence, the imposition of enforcement measures, etc.\u00a0 Such collaboration functions on the basis of pertinent bilateral or international treaties or mutual assistance practices. Co-operation in judicial matters is particularly efficient among EU Member States (including Greece), due to the establishment of certain institutions (e.g. the European arrest warrant, European investigation order).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What are the rules regarding legal professional privilege? What, if any, material is protected from production or seizure by financial crime authorities?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Financial crime authorities have wide powers when it comes to the collection of evidence and data related to the offences under investigation, not being bound by certain categories of confidentiality restrictions normally applied in various fields, e.g., banking accounts, tax records, telecommunications and so on. Nonetheless, legal professional privilege, which is well established within the Greek legal system, remains intact even in these cases, prohibiting the seizure of material produced between attorneys and their clients (attorney-client privilege), including electronic correspondence, written memos, oral communications and so on. Access to information possessed by certain professionals, except for attorneys, e.g., doctors, clerics etc, can be also denied, pursuant to the relevant provisions of the GCCP (articles 212, 263, 264 GCCP).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What rights do companies and individuals have in relation to privacy or data protection in the context of a financial crime investigation?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As explained under Q11, individuals could deny the disclosure of information which falls into the abovementioned categories of professional privilege. Moreover, companies could invoke special legislation applicable to certain types of confidential material (e.g., business patents). It is reiterated though, that the Prosecutor and other related agencies, authorised by law to investigate financial wrongdoing, have wide powers for the collection of evidence and information (please see also Q 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a doctrine of successor criminal liability? For instance in mergers and acquisitions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>As explained under Q11, individuals could deny the disclosure of information which falls into the abovementioned categories of professional privilege. Moreover, companies could invoke special legislation applicable to certain types of confidential material (e.g., business patents). It is reiterated though, that the Prosecutor and other related agencies, authorised by law to investigate financial wrongdoing, have wide powers for the collection of evidence and information (please see also Q 4).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What factors must prosecuting authorities consider when deciding whether to charge?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The filing of charges by prosecuting authorities requires sufficient incriminating evidence of wrongdoing following the opening of a preliminary criminal investigation. Due to the limited use of alternative mechanisms for the settlement of such cases, standard criminal procedure will then be followed, and the Prosecutor will either open a formal investigation in cases of serious crimes or refer the involved individuals to a trial court. After the closing of the formal investigation, a three-member judicial council shall decide &#8211; as a rule &#8211; upon the indictment or acquittal of the accused persons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What is the evidential standard required to secure conviction?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Criminal conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt. Defendants have the right to be presumed innocent until the hearing of their case and the issuance of a final judgement by the competent criminal tribunal. Reasonable doubts on guilt must result in an acquittal (<em>in dubio pro reo<\/em> principle).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a statute of limitations for criminal matters? If so, are there any exceptions?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>According to article 111 GCC, prosecution of criminal offences is time-barred, beginning from the moment these occurred, as follows:\u00a0 felonies punishable with life imprisonment have a statute of limitations of\u00a0 20 years, felonies punishable with up to 20 years of imprisonment have a statute of limitations of 15 years, with a possible extension of another 5 years during pending proceedings before a trial court;\u00a0 misdemeanours have a statute of limitations of 5 years, with a possible extension of another 3 years as above.\u00a0 In cases of financial crimes, the otherwise applicable statute of limitations (15 years) is extended to 20 years, on condition that the acts are directed against the property of the Greek State. Exceptional provisions as to the statute of limitations for certain criminal offences may be also included in special criminal legislation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any mechanisms commonly used to resolve financial crime issues falling short of a prosecution? (E.g. Deferred prosecution agreements, non-prosecution agreements, civil recovery orders, etc.) If yes, what factors are relevant and what approvals are required by the court?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>DPAs or NPAs are not provided in Greek legislation. Settlement agreements are available in administrative legislation in respect of various categories of offences (e.g., tax and custom offences, cartel offences, environmental offences) both for entities and individuals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there a mechanism for plea bargaining?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Plea bargaining has been introduced in 2019 (Law 4620\/2019) and its use is gradually expanding in practice, in relation to certain offences (e.g. smuggling of immigrants). Negotiations, which must be initiated by the defendant, take place between the latter and\/or his\/her counsel and the prosecutor. The final agreement, including a substantial sentence discount, must be confirmed by a court.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Is there any obligation to disclose discovered misconduct to prosecuting authorities, or any benefit to making a voluntary disclosure?  Is there an established route or official guidance for making such disclosures?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Companies which have voluntarily co-operated with enforcement authorities, or have even contributed to the disclosure of unlawful acts (e.g., market abuse offences), may benefit from leniency measures, i.e., reduced sanctions, non-exclusion form public tenders, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What rules or guidelines determine sentencing? Are there any leniency or discount policies? If so, how are these applied?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Article 79 GCC refers to several criteria to be considered when determining sentences (for individuals). Factors to be considered by the court include, inter alia, the nature of the offences committed, the special circumstances under which the perpetrator acted, the personality, the motives of the acts, the financial profit, past convictions, remorse etc.\u00a0 Apart from special provisions to be found in the GCC and other criminal statutes, article 84 GCC contains several generally applicable leniency factors to be taken into consideration before sentencing, e.g., the fact that the defendant led an overall decent life prior to the offence or for long after same, or that he\/she showed remorse and seriously tried to minimize the consequences of the acts in question. When it comes to the imposition of administrative sanctions on corporations, the competent authorities shall consider a variety of factors, such as entity size, annual turnover, seriousness of the offence, the damage caused, the amount by which the company benefited from the conduct and prior misconduct. Apart from fines, the competent authority may impose additional measures, including prohibition of business activity for a specified period, revocation of licenses and registrations or a ban from public tenders and investment programmes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How are compliance procedures evaluated by the prosecuting authorities and how can businesses best protect themselves?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Through internal compliance procedures, a company is in a better position to timely contain risks connected with criminal wrongdoing or even liaise with prosecuting authorities, with the purpose of using specific leniency tools, especially in the event of a disclosure of financial offences. In this context, compliance reports may facilitate or co-shape the scope and the results of a criminal investigation. In certain areas (e.g., banking sector), entities are obliged to abide by standard compliance procedures, otherwise individuals are likely to be held personally liable (e.g., articles 236 para.3 and 237 para.3 GCC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What penalties do the courts typically impose on individuals and corporates in relation to the key offences listed at Q1?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Depending on the nature of the misconduct, a broad variety of sanctions may be imposed against a company, such as fines, license revocation, a permanent or temporary ban from public tenders or state funding, or a temporary suspension of the business operations of the company. Individuals on the other hand, may face criminal penalties (including imprisonment and monetary penalties), if they are found guilty of a criminal offence. Courts enjoy a wide margin of appreciation with a view to imposing in each case dissuasive and proportionate sentence. See also Q20.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">What rights of appeal are there?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Convictions by a first-instance court may be appealed against by the defendant (and the competent Prosecutor), except for very low sentences imposed for non-serious offences. A second-instance court shall re-examine all aspects of the case. Against the decision of a second instance court the defendant (and the competent Prosecutor) may file an appeal before the Cassation Court (<em>Areios Pagos<\/em>) only on points of law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">How active are the authorities in tackling financial crime?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Prosecuting authorities are usually quite alert in opening cases of alleged financial wrongdoing, especially if such acts are directed against the financial interests of the Greek State or the European Union. In relation to financial crimes committed within the private sector, a criminal investigation is opened, as a rule, following a criminal complaint submitted by the party claiming a victim status.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">In the last 5 years, have you seen any trends or focus on particular types of offences, sectors and\/or industries?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Recent large-scale criminal cases in Greece are related to the banking and financial sector, military defence technology, pharmaceuticals and electronic commerce (e-shops), including VAT fraud. Most lately, such cases concern the sectors of transportation and agriculture as well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Have there been any landmark or notable cases, investigations or developments in the past year?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Ongoing investigations led by the European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office have focused on large-scale misuse of European funds in the sectors of agriculture and transportation. Said cases have recently attracted wide public attention, due to the alleged involvement of political officials in the commission of serious offences, such as fraud and breach of fiduciary duties.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any pending or proposed changes to the legal, regulatory and\/or enforcement framework?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>The regulatory and enforcement framework in Greece has undergone numerous changes in the past few years, with a view to approaching international standards and adopting guidelines introduced by the European institutions. Legislation must be regularly updated to comply with EU Directives or regulations, OECD standards, regional or international conventions etc. Crime policy of the last two years is characterised by a \u201ctough on crime\u201d approach, which has led to a rise of the prison population in already overcrowded prisons, with substandard health and hygienic conditions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"question-block filter-container__element\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"filter-container__match-html\">Are there any gaps or areas for improvement in the financial crime legal framework?<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<button id=\"show-me\">+<\/button>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"question_answer filter-container__match-html\" style=\"display:none;\"><p>Overlapping statutes and continuous amendments to the applicable legislation in a \u201crace\u201d to comply with changing EU or international standards undermine\u00a0foreseeability and create complex interpretation and implementation problems. Moreover, coordination between state authorities suffers, often resulting in an unfair treatment of affected entities and individuals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n<div class=\"word-count-hidden\" style=\"display:none;\">Estimated word count: <span class=\"word-count\">3240<\/span><\/div>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t<\/ol>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/twentyseventeen\/src\/jquery\/components\/filter-guides.js\" async><\/script><\/div>"}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide\/110966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comparative_guide"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/comparative_guide"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/guides\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}