Greece: More than 300 court briefs annually for blasphemy

According to official Hellenic Statistical Authority data, based on information compiled by the Hellenic Police, there are more than 300 court briefs opened each year with charges of blasphemy and/or other forms of disturbance of religious peace.

For 2016, there were 254 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 328 perpetrators (312 Greeks and 16 foreigners), of whom 159 were arrested (usually probably also for other offenses); and 43 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 58 perpetrators (of whom 46 were arrested).

For 2015, there were 315 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 363 perpetrators (336 Greeks and 27 foreigners), of whom 197 were arrested (usually possibly also for other offenses); and 27 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 15 perpetrators (of whom 10 were arrested).

For 2014, there were 345 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 449 perpetrators (417 Greeks and 32 foreigners), of whom 221 were arrested (usually probably also for other offenses) and 32 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 22 perpetrators (of whom 11 were arrested).

For 2013, there were 320 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 388 perpetrators (364 Greeks and 24 foreigners) of whom 193 were arrested (usually probably also for other offenses) and 39 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 27 perpetrators (of whom 16 were arrested).

For 2012, there were 236 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 219 perpetrators, of whom 56 were arrested (usually probably also for other offenses) and 26 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 21 perpetrators (of whom 12 were arrested).

For 2011, there were 330 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 378 perpetrators, 122 of whom were arrested (usually possibly also for other offenses) and 33 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 22 perpetrators (of whom 5 were arrested).

For 2010, there were 469 court briefs for malicious blasphemy with 532 perpetrators, of whom 118 were arrested (usually possibly also for other offenses) and 32 other court briefs for other forms of disturbance of religious peace with 28 perpetrators (of whom 6 were arrested).