An intensive training seminar on “Criminal Liabilities from Pollution of the Marine Environment” was held on 28 January 2026, as part of the educational activities organized by the “Economotechnics” group. The seminar was addressed to a highly specialized and demanding audience, aiming at an in-depth analysis of the current legal developments in the field of environmental protection.

The central intervention was made by the criminal lawyer Iriotis, Vice President of the Union of Greek Criminal Lawyers (photo), who focused, among other things, on the crucial issue of the criminal liability of legal entities’ managers, but also of the legal entities themselves, in cases of pollution of the marine environment. At the same time, he analysed the new institutional framework formed by Directives (EU) 2024/1203 and (EU) 2024/3101, which the Greek legislator is required to incorporate by 2026 and 2027, pointing out the substantial changes they bring about in environmental criminal law.

Mr. Georgios Sarlis highlighted the specificity of the legal value of the environment and the special issues raised by Law 4037/2012 regarding pollution from ships, focusing on the peculiarities of the criminal treatment of marine pollution incidents.

Ms. Evangelia Nassiou presented important criminal pollution cases that have been the subject of jurisprudence, as well as the strict framework of administrative sanctions provided for environmental violations, while touching upon critical procedural issues that arise in the context of criminal proceedings.

For his part, Mr Achilleas Papatheodorou focused on Law 743/1977, analysing the relationship and complementarity of the individual pieces of legislation concerning the protection of marine waters.

Among the thematic sections of the seminar were the increased possibility of criminal involvement of the master in cases of pollution from ships, the criminal liability of legal entities, the reform of European environmental criminal law, the problems arising from the international development of autonomous ships, as well as the application of the European Arrest Warrant in environmental offences.

Particular reference was made to international pollution incidents, such as the “Exxon Valdez”, “Prestige” and “Erika” cases, as well as to emblematic cases that have occupied the Greek criminal courts, such as the “Express Samina”, “Sea Diamond” and “Agia Zoni II”.

These educational activities highlight the importance of continuous and substantial training, as well as the development of a fruitful scientific dialogue around complex and constantly evolving issues of environmental and maritime law.