Greece has enacted a landmark legislative framework specifically designed to combat art forgery, vandalism, and the trade of counterfeit cultural property. The new law introduces stringent criminal penalties, including prison sentences of up to ten years and fines reaching €300,000, while mandating the destruction of works confirmed as fakes. Key provisions include the creation of an independent registry of forgery experts under the culture ministry and the expansion of legal protections to include historically significant cinemas.
This shift from general anti-fraud laws to a specialized art-crime framework reflects Greece's urgent need to protect its vast archaeological and modern heritage. By establishing a formal registry of experts and tightening provenance requirements, the government aims to sanitize a market recently rocked by high-profile forgery rings and acts of politically motivated vandalism. The move signals a broader European trend toward increasing transparency and legal accountability in the international art trade.