Decision No. 727/1992 of the Criminal Court (First Instance) of Alexandroupolis

Summary of facts: On 2-8-1992, the defendant, a UNHCR mandate refugee, was arrested near Alexandoupolis (north-eastern land border with Turkey), by police authorities, together with three fellow nationals of his who had illegally entered into Greece, in that area.  The defendant had come from Athens in order to receive the other 3 who had previously informed him of their imminent arrival. The defendant, in his pleading, claimed that his fellow nationals called him after they had entered Greece and were already in Alexandoupolis. He referred to the reasons that led him leave Iran, at the age of 14, due to his family's position in the Shah's regime. 

Reasoning and decision: The Court decided that the defendant had been in contact with his friends beforehand and intended, unlawfully, to facilitate their movement in the country. He met them near the Alexandoupolis airport and attempted to bring them to Athens. The motives of his act were, nonetheless, not venal and should be found guilty with mitigating circumstances. 

The Court found the defendant guilty recognizing that he committed the offence for not venal motives.