Bittersweet end for Greek journalist who won libel trial but lost job Crete court upholds media's right to scrutinise activities of public officials

by International Press Institute | Dec 7, 2016 | Greece, News |

A court in Crete last month acquitted journalist Alekos Andrikakis (second from L) of criminal libel. Photo courtesy Alekos Andrikakis.

Greek journalist Alekos Andrikakis strikes a bittersweet tone when describing his long-awaited acquittal last month on libel charges brought by the former mayor of Heraklion, on the island of Crete.

“There is a great sense of victory,” Andrikakis said in an interview with the International Press Institute (IPI). “A personal victory and a victory for all of my colleagues and for press freedom.”

But while Andrikakis may have escaped a three-month prison sentence, the multi-year ordeal took a toll on his professional career. A job loss and financial insecurity hit hard.

Read the full story on IPI’s main website.