The scene of Giorgos Karaivaz’s murder (picture alliance / ANE / Eurokinissi | Giannis Panagopoulos)
Greece: MFRR partners welcome first arrests over 2021 assassination of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz

ECPMF

03 May 2023

No Comments

The undersigned partners in the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) welcome the arrests announced last Friday of two suspects in connection with the 2021 assassination of crime reporter Giorgos Karaivaz in Greece. The two men, brothers aged 40 and 48, are now in custody and awaiting a hearing today, May 3rd.

 

The exact alleged role of the suspects, both Greek nationals, in the murder has not yet been confirmed by prosecutors. News of the arrests was announced on social media by the Minister of Citizen Protection, rather than by law enforcement authorities. According to the Hellenic Police, two other suspects are still wanted in connection with the killing, but the motive remains unconfirmed.

 

Karaivaz, an experienced crime reporter, was gunned down by two men on a scooter outside his home in Athens on 9 April 2021. Following the killing, police said the “professional” style of the assassination indicated the involvement of organised crime. Last month, the case formally became an instance of impunity for murder, considering there had been no significant progress in investigating or prosecuting the crime for two years.

 

Last week’s arrests represent the first big step forward and have revived hope that at least some of those responsible for the despicable murder could finally be held accountable. However, to secure full justice for Karaivaz and his family, all those involved in the killing, from the gunman and getaway driver up to the middlemen and mastermind(s), must be prosecuted and put behind bars.

 

As our organisations mark World Press Freedom Day today, we continue to follow the case closely and do all we can to secure justice for Karaivaz and help strengthen media freedom and independent journalism in Greece, which remain in a poor condition.

 

Signed:

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

International Press Institute (IPI)

OBC Transeuropa (OBCT)

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

ARTICLE 19 Europe

This statement was coordinated by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR), which tracks, monitors and responds to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by a consortium led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE 19 Europe, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project is co-funded by the European Commission.

Read news by categories:

Related news

Statement

The Only Material: Exhibition on Ukrainian journalism opened in Berlin — Now extended until 4 August

Berlin, 26 June 2025 — The Only Material, an exhibition exploring the work and personal journeys of Ukrainian journalists during the ongoing full-scale war launched by Russia against Ukraine, opened at the Museum for Communication in Berlin. Organised by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) through its Voices of Ukraine programme — part of the Hannah Arendt Initiative and supported by the German Federal Foreign Office — the exhibition invites visitors to see beyond the headlines and into the lived experiences of journalists reporting under fire.

READ MORE
Statement

Serbia: Media freedom continues to decline at alarming speed, EU must take action

Journalists face rising threats in Serbia. 95 violations in 6 months. EU urged to respond decisively to defend media freedom and democratic values.

READ MORE
Statement

Media Recovery Ignored at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025

45 media organisations condemn the lack of focus on Ukraine’s media recovery at Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 in Rome. Press freedom must be central to rebuilding Ukraine.

READ MORE
Statement

Turkey: MFRR partners alarmed by state-backed attacks on Leman magazine

The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) partners strongly condemn the arrest of four staff members of Leman, one of Türkiye’s leading satirical magazines, and express deep concern over the ongoing judicial, economic, and physical pressure targeting the publication following the release of a cartoon deemed offensive by religious and conservative groups.

READ MORE
Statement

International organisations condemn the arrest warrant issued against the journalist Nedim Türfent by the Turkish authorities

Leading media freedom and human rights organisations condemn the arrest warrant issued by Turkish authorities against exiled Kurdish journalist Nedim Türfent.

READ MORE
Statement

Turkey: Journalists detained under the Artvin investigation must be released immediately!

Journalists Dicle Baştürk, Yavuz Akengin, Eylem Emel Yılmaz, and Sendika.Org contributor Ozan Cırık, who were detained during house raids in Istanbul on 13 June, were put under arrest pending trial by the on-duty court on the night of 16 June on charges of “membership of a terrorist organization.”

READ MORE