Greece is one of the closest and best-loved destinations for Israelis, which is also why it is one of the places where Israelis are arrested from time to time: a misunderstanding at the airport, a fight on holiday, an accident or a suspicion that turns out to be a mistake. When it happens, the family in Israel is left with one phone call and very little information. This page explains what happens in the first hours after an arrest in Greece, how release is obtained, and what to do when the case involves an extradition request.
Representing Israelis arrested in Greece
I have practised criminal law and international crime since 1998, and I serve as Chairman of the Extradition and International Crime Committee of the Israel Bar Association. When proceedings take place in Greece, our firm works together with a local Greek lawyer, who appears before the prosecutor and the court. We run the strategy, the contact with the family in Israel and the coordination between the countries, and in suitable cases I travel there myself.
A case from our practice: release after two days in Athens
Two young Israelis on their way to Uman for Rosh Hashanah were arrested at Athens airport after a businessman left a bag in one of the shops and went to the security staff. Their families contacted us, I flew to Athens, and together with a local lawyer we met the two of them and argued that they had never opened the bag. After two days they were released on bail. One continued to Uman and the other returned home, as reported at the time by the Israeli news site Mako.
In cases like this, time is the central issue. Every day in custody in a foreign country is very hard, and the important decisions are made at the first hearings.
What happens after an arrest in Greece
The first hours
A person arrested in Greece is usually brought before a prosecutor within 24 hours, and in more serious cases also before an investigating judge, who decides whether to keep them in custody. You have the right to a lawyer and to an interpreter, and you should ask for the Israeli consulate to be informed. Do not sign a document in Greek that you do not understand, and do not give a detailed account before you have spoken to a lawyer.
Release on bail and on conditions
Release until the end of the proceedings is possible in Greece, and it is usually subject to conditions such as surrender of the passport, a financial guarantee, a duty to report or a ban on leaving the country. For a foreign tourist whose family and home are outside Greece, the central question is how to satisfy the court that they will come back for the hearings. At this stage a local lawyer who knows the practice, together with documents from Israel, can help a great deal.
Extradition between Israel and Greece
Israel and Greece are both parties to the European Convention on Extradition, which is the basis for extradition between them. The European Arrest Warrant operates only between EU Member States and does not apply to requests from Israel. Greece, like many European countries, does not extradite its own nationals. A request to extradite an Israeli from Greece is first examined by a court, and the decision can be appealed to the Greek Supreme Court.
A person arrested in Greece on an INTERPOL Red Notice at the request of a third country, such as the United States, is in extradition proceedings in Greece, and the case in the requesting country needs to be examined at the same time. Where Israel itself is seeking extradition, action in Israel, such as an approach to the prosecution or a review of the file, can sometimes resolve the matter without lengthy proceedings in Greece. Our page on extradition to and from Israel explains the Israeli side of that process.
What our representation covers
- An immediate response to the family and a review of the reason for the arrest
- Joint work with a Greek criminal lawyer, and travel to Athens in suitable cases
- Handling the application for release on bail and on conditions
- Handling INTERPOL notices and extradition requests connected with Greece
- Coordination with the consulate and with any proceedings in Israel
- Support after release, until the proceedings in Greece are concluded
Why early action matters
When someone is detained abroad, the first hearing often decides whether they come home in a few days or in a few months. If a family member has been arrested in Greece, contact us immediately, even in the middle of the night. We can be reached 24/7 on +972-3-6969080. Anyone who suspects there may be a warrant or an INTERPOL notice against them should check before the flight, while there is still time to act.
For cases elsewhere in Europe, see also our pages on criminal defence in Germany and France.
Frequently asked questions
A family member has been arrested in Greece. What should we do first?
Find out where they are being held and on what suspicion, ask for the consulate to be informed, and contact a lawyer who can act with local counsel before the first hearing.
How soon is a detainee brought before a prosecutor in Greece?
Usually within 24 hours. In more serious cases, an investigating judge also decides whether the person stays in custody.
Can I be released on bail and return to Israel?
Release on bail is possible, but it often includes a ban on leaving Greece or surrender of the passport. Whether you can return to Israel before the hearing depends on the conditions the court sets.
Can Greece extradite an Israeli to Israel or to another country?
Yes. Greece and Israel are both parties to the European Convention on Extradition, and Greece can also arrest an Israeli on an INTERPOL notice issued by a third country. The request is examined by a court in Greece.
Can an Israeli lawyer appear in a Greek court?
No. Appearances are made by a Greek lawyer. We run the strategy and the contact with the family, work together with local counsel and, in suitable cases, travel to Greece.
Official legal sources
- European Convention on Extradition, 1957
- UK government guidance for people arrested in Greece (GOV.UK)
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice based on the facts of a particular case. A Hebrew version of this page is available at עורך דין פלילי ביוון.
