Misdemeanor

Health Minister Makis Voridis on Tuesday heralded tougher penalties for offenses in the health sector, noting that instances of blackmail or bribery that are normally categorized as misdemeanors would be treated as felonies if they are committed in the health sector.

Former Defense Minister Yiannos Papantoniou and his wife, Stavroula Kourakou, were on Tuesday sentenced to four years in prison by an Athens misdemeanors court which found the pair guilty of making a false derivation of wealth (pothen esches) claim.

Greek MPs will have their privileges suspended if they are accused of certain misdemeanors, according to a draft law submitted to Parliament on Wednesday by the Justice Ministry.

They will be barred from all privileges enjoyed by lawmakers if they are convicted.