- VICTIM SUPPORT
- THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS OF CRIME
- Victims right to understand and to be understood
- Right to receive information from the very first contact with the competent authority
- Victims’ rights when making a complaint
- Victims’ right to receive information about their case
- The right to translation
- The right to access victim support services
- Support from victim support services
- Right to safeguards in terms of restorative justice services
- Victims’ rights who reside in another EU member state
- Right to avoid contact between victim and offender
- Victim protection during the criminal investigation
- Protection of private life
- Individual assessment of victims- Special protection
- Right to protection of victims with special needs during criminal proceedings
- Rights of the witness of crime
- CRIMINAL COURT PROCEEDINGS
- WHO IS WHO IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS
- I WAS A VICTIM OF CRIME: COMMON REACTIONS
INTERPRETER
In all criminal proceedings, whether witness interviews or written procedures, such as notifying participants to appear in court, the language used is Greek.
When a person who does not speak Greek has to participate in the proceedings, the authority responsible for the proceedings in question shall request the appointment of an interpreter who speaks both Greek and the participant’s language well. For example, if a witness is Russian and does not speak Greek well, an interpreter is appointed whose task it is to translate into Greek what the witness says in Russian and into Russian what is said or requested by the witness.
An interpreter is also appointed when it is necessary to translate documents from a foreign language.
When a person who is deaf or hard of hearing has to testify, a sign language interpreter shall be appointed. If the witness is unable to speak, the questions shall be posed orally and the witness shall reply in writing.
The interpreter plays a key role in ensuring that those involved understand what is being said and participate effectively in the process.
The appointment of an interpreter shall be at no cost to the participant requiring this service. The interpreter shall be appointed from a list drawn up by the first-instance judicial council.
According to Article 233 – Code of Criminal Procedure (Law 4620/2019) – Appointment of an interpreter:
1. At any stage of the criminal proceedings, when a suspect, defendant, or witness who does not sufficiently speak or understand Greek is to be examined, he or she shall be provided with interpretation without delay. Where necessary, interpretation shall be provided for communication between defendants and their counsel at all stages of the criminal proceedings. The right to interpretation referred to in the above subparagraphs shall include appropriate assistance to persons with hearing or speech impairments. At each stage of the criminal proceedings, the examining magistrate shall ascertain by all appropriate means whether the suspect or defendant speaks and understands the Greek language and whether he or she requires the assistance of an interpreter. The suspect or defendant shall have the right to object to a decision finding that interpretation is not necessary or when the quality of the interpretation is not sufficient. Objections shall be decided on by the public prosecutor in the pre-trial stage, by the Judicial Council in the pre-trial judicial investigation, and by the court in the main proceedings. If necessary, communication technology such as videoconferencing, telephone, or the internet may be used, unless the physical presence of the interpreter is deemed necessary by the examiner.