Larrisis and Others v. Greece
Application N° 23372/94; 26377/94; 26378/94
Judgment of 24/2/1998, RJD 1998-1; 23 EHRR 329
Several Greek cases show how Article 9 can be used to protect others from the views of believers. Larrisis, Mandalarides and Sarandis were Pentecostal Christians believing it is their duty to Evangelise. As seen in the case of Kokkinakis v. Greece (Appl. No. 260-A) it was found that proselytism is an acceptable manifestation of religious belief. But in Larrisis v. Greece it was shown that this did not apply in all cases. In the latter case the State was supported (by 8 votes to 1), as the applicants were officers in the Greek Air Force and as such in positions of authority. Therefore the protection of the lower rank airmen against improper pressures was a legitimate measure. In other words, people are free to close the door to Jehovah's Witnesses, whereas there are instances where the proselytised cannot stand up to the proselytiser, safeguarding the unduly advantaged from those who 'enjoy "superiority" over others, educationally or socially'. It is clear that in the Larrisis v. Greece case 'the measures taken were not particularly severe and were more preventive than punitive in nature'.