The new draft law on the European arrest warrant and the measures against terrorism was submitted to Parliament today by Justice Minister Anastasis Papaligouras, reflecting the international community cooperation in the effort to combat organized crime and terrorism.
The law, as a supplement to the previous one, incorporates the commitments undertaken by Greece toward the European community and according to the Justice Minister in three weeks it will be Greece's new anti-terrorist law that will shield the country in view of the Olympic Games.
For the first time, Europe gives a definition of terrorism underlining that it is any act that tends to terrorize the population and put at risk fundamental political, social and economic structures of the State.
The new law attempts to find a golden mean in coupling the fundamental values of freedom and security. Based on that, the leader of a terrorist group will be punished individually and with a bigger sentence than simple terrorist group members, while the terrorist group's economic sponsor will also be punished. Capital offences will be placed under the statute of Limitations after a period of 30 years instead of the 20year period that is in effect today.
On the European arrest warrant, the double jeopardy principle is in effect namely, actions will be persecuted both in Greece and in any other country requesting extradition of those responsible.
The Justice Minister clarified that regarding the extraditions to America bilateral agreements will continue to be in effect.
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