Penal Code

The Ministry of Justice in Albania on Thursday said it is working on changes to the penal code that include upping the fines to 4.5 million leks (36,000 euros) for defamation, and extending responsibility not only to journalists but also to editors and directors of media outlets and others.

Bulgaria's Parliament on March 23 voted to approve the President's veto on the State of Emergency Measures Act. The law was passed on March 13 and provided for regulating the measures and actions during the month-long state of emergency introduced in connection with the coronavirus epidemic, BNT reported.

Following a barrage of criticism from NGOs and lawmakers over how rape should be defined and punished in the new penal code, Justice Minister Mihalis Kalogirou submitted an amendment which appeared to clarify that consent is needed for a sexual act.

By Yannis Marinos

Criminals will undoubtedly welcome with hymns of resurrection the draft of the new penal code which was recently made public and is scheduled to be approved by Parliament in the immediate future.

Some of the provisions that caused a backlash were improved by the justice ministry.

The Union of Greek Prosecutors on Tuesday hailed government plans to overhaul the country's dated penal code, but expressed serious objections to a number of specific measures outlined in the draft bill that has been put up for public consultation.

The Parliament has defined the criminal offence committed in the context of domestic violence, the Bulgarian National Television reports.

The adopted text is part of the amendments to the Penal Code that are being discussed at second reading.

It all started with a news report two weeks ago. A half-famous, minor jet-set TV personality called Murat Başoğlu was "caught" by paparazzi in a boat off the Aegean coast cavorting with a woman who is not his wife.

The Venice Commission, the legal advisory body of the Council of Europe, has recommended changes to the crime of "insulting the president" in Turkey, pointing to the law's "vague wording" and increase in related cases and penalties. 

Newly-adopted amendments to the Penal Code are now enforcing harsh measures targeting concealment of social insurance contributions.

Among the heaviest penalties are imprisonment from two to eight years and confiscation of property.

The heaviest penalty will apply in cases of concealment of contributions that amount to more than BGN 12 000.

Bulgaria starts an overhaul of its anti-terrorist legislation, reports the Sega daily.

On Wednesday the government set up a working group which will analyse the existing legislation and to formulate proposals for legislative amendments and administrative and organisational measures.