Supreme Court fires five judges due to significant delays in issuing decisions
The Greek Supreme Court fired five judges for breach of duty, specifically for obstructing justice by delaying decisions, it was announced on Friday.
One of them, a first-instance court judge, had been subject to disciplinary fines and been denied promotions for delaying 36 to 130 cases during her years of service. In addition, at least 187 case files had been removed from her jurisdiction, following 11 negative annual reviews.
The Athens Bar Association and people involved in court cases had complained repeatedly, while the rate of delays rose, forcing colleagues to pick up her work.
Another first-instance court judge, who also delayed issuing decisions and had been fined, was not fired. She cited consecutive serious health problems including surgery and an 11-month leave, but had caught up on almost all cases, so she retained her position.
Presiding over the decisions was Supreme Court President Ioanna Klappa-Christodoulea, assisted by chief prosecutor Georgia Adelini.
AMNA