In Thessaloniki, a 55-year-old woman has been sentenced to ten months in prison for stalking a local journalist and radio producer. The Three-member Misdemeanor Court found her guilty of making threats through persistent surveillance, while also recognizing her diminished responsibility. This verdict comes after a previous conviction in November 2024, where she was sentenced to twelve months in prison, although the execution of that sentence was suspended pending an appeal.

During the court proceedings, the journalist detailed her ordeal, describing it as a 'nightmare' that began in 2009. She emphasized that she had no relationship with the defendant, noting that the harassment started when the stalker began calling her workplace and later escalated to her home. The distressing behavior included sending continuous gifts from 2012 onwards, ranging from chocolates and flowers to jewelry and stuffed animals, all while making phone calls at inappropriate hours, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the journalist's privacy and peace of mind.

This case highlights the serious issue of stalking in Greece and the legal system's approach to such offenders. With the woman facing both a conviction and a significant prison sentence, it underscores the judicial recognition of the severity of stalking offenses, as well as the need for ongoing conversations about the safety and well-being of victims in similar situations. It raises awareness of the importance of legal protection for individuals facing obsessive behaviors from others, particularly in the context of their public roles as journalists or other figures in society.