GREEK PASTORS ACQUITTED, BUT DISCRIMINATORY LAWS UPHELD

THESSALONIKI, GREECE --In the culmination of a three-year legal battle for Greek minority groups, the Thessaloniki District Court handed down its verdict today in the high-profile Thessaloniki v. Sidiropoulos case. While acquitting the eleven evangelical congregations (and five other minority churches) of any violations, the court shied away from making any precedent-setting statements about the controversial law at stake in the case.

First enacted during the authoritarian regime of dictator John Metaxas, the law requires that all Greek minority churches obtain their operating license from the local Orthodox bishop, effectively precluding minority groups from exercising their constitutional freedoms. Yet in a completely unexpected move, the district attorney called on the presiding judge to support a long-overdue modernization of the law, one that would harmonize local code with the spirit and decisions of the European Convention on Human Rights.

"Hearing the district attorney himself demanding such a statement, we expect nothing less than the court's immediate action" noted lead defense attorney Vassilis Tsirbas in his remarks to the Greek press. "Donít mistake the acquittal of these pastors for a victory," he said. "That Greek minorities are forced to submit to the ecclesiastical (and by extension, civil) authority of the Orthodox Church constitutes a human rights violation of the highest order."

Though this particular legal battle is over, we must continue our efforts to abolish this oppressive law. While Greeks in general enjoy religious freedom, our Greek EvangelicalS, along with other minorities, continue to be taken to court and harassed under the current regulations.

On Behalf of the Coordinating committee of the Greek Evangelical Alliance

Fotis Romeos, General Secretary of GEA

PS If you would like to join in the movement to eliminate legal discrimination against Greek evangelicals, please address your concerns about laws 1363/38 and 1672/39 to the following government officials.

Costas Simitis Prime Minister of Greece E-mail: mail@primeminister.gr Fax: (011) 301 323.8129

Peter Efthimiou Minister of Education and Religious Affairs E-mail: edu_ref@ypepth.gr Fax: (011) 301 323.3787

Michael Stathopoulos Minister of Justice E-mail: minjust1@otenet.gr Fax: (011) 301 775.8742

(If you use e-mail, please send a copy of your letter to amglogos@hol.gr).

Or for more information about the case, please contact the Greek Evangelical Alliance: Fotis Romeos, GEA General Secretary Tel. (011) 301 483.4001 Fax: (011) 301.483.4000 Mobile: (011) 3094 444.3343 E-mail: amglogos@hol.gr