Reporting a crime in Greece: minysi, egklisi and preparation before filing

The distinction between minysi and egklisi

A minysi brings an offence prosecuted ex officio to the authorities' attention. An egklisi is the declaration by the person legally entitled to make it that is required for prosecution of certain offences. Everyday language often blurs the terms, but the important question is the procedure required by law for the particular act.

A report may be made to the prosecutor or police using the applicable formalities. Calling a document a complaint does not, by itself, establish that the requirements for an egklisi have been met. Any filing fee, exemptions and authorisation required when another person acts on the complainant's behalf also need to be checked.

Checking the three-month time limit

The general rule in Article 114 of the Criminal Code links the three-month complaint period to knowledge of the act and the person who committed it, or one of the participants. This is not a universal deadline for reporting all crimes, and it does not always run simply from the date of the incident.

Record when you learned what happened, when you learned who was involved and how that information reached you. Special rules and the identity of the person entitled to complain require separate consideration. Do not postpone contacting a lawyer because discussions continue or because some supporting material is still missing.

Preparing a clear account and supporting material

Describe events chronologically: what happened, where, when and who was present. Distinguish personal observations from information supplied by others. If something is unknown, record the uncertainty rather than presenting suspicion as fact. The legal classification is assessed against the actual circumstances.

Preserve material lawfully in your possession in its original form. Do not access someone else's accounts, make unlawful recordings or publish personal information to strengthen your position. The legality of obtaining and using each item of evidence is a separate question.

• A short chronology with dates and places
• Complete messages, documents and relevant records
• Witness details and what each person knows
• Any earlier report and case reference

After the report has been submitted

Keep a copy or confirmation of submission and the reference needed to identify the case. Filing a report is not a finding of guilt and does not guarantee a particular outcome. Further evidence or testimony may be requested, so tell your lawyer about subsequent contact from an authority.

If there is an immediate threat to life or physical safety, call 100 or 112 instead of waiting to complete a file. In a non-emergency matter in Heraklion, an initial consultation can organise the facts, required procedure and any parallel need for protection or compensation.