Greece acquits 2 defendants over murder of crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz

Berlin, August 1, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Greek authorities to deliver justice for the 2021 murder of prominent crime reporter Giorgis Karaivaz, following Wednesday’s acquittal of two suspected hitmen due to a lack of evidence.

“We are deeply disappointed that the judicial process has ended with an acquittal and that those who murdered reporter Giorgis Karaivaz still enjoy their freedom, while Greek journalists live in fear that they too could be killed with impunity,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “We call on the Greek authorities to ensure that all of those involved in the deadly shooting of Karaivaz are brought to justice.”

The prosecutor argued that the two unnamed men, who are brothers and pleaded not guilty, shot Karaivaz at least 10 times outside his home near the capital Athens and linked the assassination to the journalist’s reporting on organized crime.

Unless new evidence emerges, the acquittal will remain in place.

CPJ has repeatedly expressed concern over deteriorating press freedom in Greece and the unsolved murders of Karaivaz and investigative journalist Sokratis Giolias, who was similarly gunned down in 2010 by professional hitmen in the street.

The Athens prosecutor’s office did not respond to CPJ’s email requesting comment.