Obsolete laws for the environment
Of the 18 people standing trial for the destruction of the Asopos River ecosystem in Viotia, 10 were let off due to an administrative error. As a result, only six representatives of the polluting companies received suspended jail sentences of 5 to 12 months and a 1,500- to 5,000-euro fine – a punishment more appropriate to a traffic violation. The trial and the sentence (however lenient) of the people responsible for the environmental catastrophe is indeed a sign of progress. It shows that people cannot get away with environmental crimes. But the small, almost ridiculous, sanctions imposed by the court point to a legal gap. At a time when scientists and societies have put the protection of sensitive ecosystems at the top of their agendas, which also impacts on the agendas of political parties, the obsolete legal framework cannot safeguard that precious public good. The small fines will not discourage those who profit from such polluting activities.
