The latest case of “revenge porn” in Greece concluded with a man and woman handed down suspended prison sentences by a Thessaloniki court this week after posting intimate photographs and video of a former reality show contestant.
The 33-year-old man and 29-year-old woman were convicted of a misdemeanor count of releasing personal and sensitive information over the Internet about a third party, while the latter suspect was also convicted of slander. The sentences of four and four-and-a-half years, respectively, were suspended in return for payment of five euros per day of each sentence.
The 40-year-old complainant, who was not named, filed a lawsuit against her former boyfriend, the first suspect, with police after she discovered she was the victim of “revenge porn”.
The other defendant, the 29-year-old woman, had previously been in a relationship with the man.
The intimate photos and video were circulated after 2018 online and sent to people who knew the victim by the 29-year-old. The latter had received the digital material from the man.
The images of the victims were subsequently reposted on other pornographic sites and social media.
“My life has not yet returned to normal,” the 40-year-old told the court in a statement, adding that from 2018 until today, there hasn’t been day when she has not seen a vulgar message posted on her online profile. Because of the case and its impact on her life, she said she was forced to leave the country.
In his testimony, the now convicted 33-year-old man claimed that he was in a “poor psychological state” during the period when the photographs and videos were disseminated, while attributing his gross lack of judgment to medication he was taking. He also blamed his co-defendant for circulating the offending material.
On her part, the 29-year-old defendant referred to unsubstantiated accusations against her, while attempting to justify her actions by saying the photos she posted did not show the victim’s face.
