The Athens Three-Member Misdemeanor Court found all four defendants guilty in the so-called ‘Email Gate’ case — a scandal involving the unauthorized disclosure of emails belonging to Greek expatriates. Former New Democracy MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou and former General Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Michalis Stavrianoudakis were convicted on both charges: breach of official confidentiality and violation of Greece’s personal data protection law.
Split verdicts for other defendants
In contrast, the court acquitted two other defendants — Menios Koromilas, former ND Secretary for Local Government, and Nikos Theodoropoulos, who at the time served as ND Secretary for Expatriates — of breaching official confidentiality. However, both were convicted solely for violating the personal data protection law.
Sentences handed down
Asimakopoulou received a 20-month prison sentence, suspended; Stavrianoudakis was sentenced to 18 months, also suspended. Theodoropoulos was given an 8-month suspended sentence, while Koromilas received a 12-month sentence with a three-year suspension.
The verdict against Asimakopoulou for breach of official confidentiality was reached by majority vote, with the presiding judge dissenting; her conviction on the data protection charge was unanimous. For Stavrianoudakis, both convictions were decided by majority — the presiding judge believed he should have been acquitted. Theodoropoulos’ conviction was also split 2–1, with the presiding judge dissenting, whereas Koromilas’ conviction was unanimous.
The court unanimously recognized the mitigating factor of prior good conduct for all four defendants.
Victims present in court
All four defendants attended the hearing. Two of the three complainants — Greek citizens residing abroad who had received unsolicited emails from Asimakopoulou’s political office and subsequently filed complaints over misuse of their personal data — were also present in the courtroom.
Fines upheld
The Council of State confirmed administrative fines imposed by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority: €40,000 against Asimakopoulou, and €10,000 each against Theodoropoulos and Koromilas. Although ND had successfully challenged the fine against the party itself, the fines against the individuals stood. Earlier, the same authority had levied a €400,000 fine against the Ministry of Interior — the source of the leaked expatriate contact list — but the ministry did not appeal the decision.