The fines for companies that violate the clean-up decrees were "cut" by lawmakers, considering the sentences initially proposed by the government under the shadow of the Nava cases too high, while police officers will be able to immediately put a padlock on documents for five days, instead of 15 days which was the original suggestion.
The new sentences have been in force since yesterday after they have already been published in the official newspaper of the Republic. Yesterday, the members of the Legal Committee and the Minister of Justice had agreed on the final sentences, after George Savvidis made behind his initial suggestions for more severe fines. Lawmakers said a cafe, a kiosk or a club could not have the same fate as a nightclub. The four categories of operations become five, the third violation is abolished, while for the first time the police officer is given the power to close a property without a court order.
The new out-of-court decisions that the Parliament voted by a majority yesterday were as follows:
Α. For businesses or places where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services with a useful customer service area of up to 50 sq.m., in case of first violation € 500, second violation to € 1.000.
Β. For businesses or places where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services with a useful customer service area of 51 sq.m. up to 101 sq.m., in case of first violation € 750, second violation € 1.500.
Γ. For businesses or places where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services with a useful customer service area of 101 sq.m. up to 200 sq.m., in case of first violation € 1.500, second violation € 3.000.
Δ. For businesses or places where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services with a useful customer service area of more than 201 sq.m., in case of first violation € 4.000, second violation € 8.000.
Ε. For companies with a useful customer service area of 501sq.m. and above, a first out-of-court settlement of € 8.000 and a second infringement of € 16.000
Also, the new law provides the possibility to a member of the Police, who is of the opinion that a premises, business or space where economic activity is carried out in relation to goods or services is operating in violation of the terms or conditions or measures specified in regulations and / or decrees issued under the Law on Purification of the Law, to issue and notify by order of the Chief of Police to the owner or administrator or their representatives or the person responsible, notification of the prohibition of the use of his property or business space for up to five days. This notice may be withdrawn by the member of the police by order of the Chief of Police at any time.
It is also possible for a person who considers that he has been wronged by the issuance of a prohibition notice to appeal to the Minister of Justice within seven days from the date of issuance of the prohibition notice, with a request for revocation or amendment. It is also provided that a person who violates a prohibition notice is guilty of an offense and is subject to the penalties provided for.
Under the new law, a police officer is allowed to enter any property, business or, without prior notice, or if he or she has a reasonable reason to believe that an offense is being committed under the law under voting, with the exception of domestic property that will require with the consent of their holder or the provision of a relevant court order.
MPs with their positions stressed that they will monitor the implementation of the legislation and will not allow the arbitrariness of the police.
Source: The Liberal