The Athens Three-Member Misdemeanour Court issued its decision today in the case concerning the leak of expatriate voters’ email addresses during the 2024 European elections.

Specifically, the court unanimously found the former New Democracy MEP Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou guilty of violating data protection legislation and, by majority (2–1), guilty on the same charge.

Ms. Asimakopoulou was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment with a three-year suspension of execution.

Furthermore, under the ruling:

• A 18-month prison sentence was imposed on the former Secretary-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Michalis Stavrianoudakis. Mr. Stavrianoudakis was found guilty by majority of the offence of violating data protection legislation and of breaching official confidentiality.
• An 8-month prison sentence was imposed on Nik. Theodoropoulos and a 12-month sentence on Menios Koromilas. Mr. Theodoropoulos, then Secretary for Overseas Greeks of New Democracy, and Mr. Koromilas, then Secretary for Local Government and Crisis Management of New Democracy, were found guilty of violating data protection legislation. Conversely, they were unanimously acquitted of the offence of breach of official confidentiality.

Finally, it should be noted that the execution of the sentences was suspended for all those convicted for a period of three years. As for mitigating circumstances, the court recognised for all defendants the mitigating factor of previous lawful conduct.

On the side of the defendants, the former Secretary for Overseas Greeks of New Democracy, Nikos Theodoropoulos, focused on his unanimous acquittal regarding the charge of breach of official confidentiality, while expressing his belief that he will be fully vindicated on appeal regarding the GDPR aspect.

In his statement, he said:

“Today justice spoke and fully and unanimously acquitted me of the charge of breach of official confidentiality. Those who believed they could convict me in the court of public opinion in order to damage me were mistaken. Regarding the issue of personal data and GDPR, I am confident that the Court of Appeal will clarify it. I would like to thank my lawyers, Mr. Alexandris and Ms. Tsolka, my family, my wife, the hundreds of Greeks abroad, and everyone who stood by me over the past two and a half years. Thank you.”