With the arrival of the first relatives at the “Gaiopolis” complex of the University of Thessaly, the countdown began for the start of the Tempi trial. Pavlos Aslanidis, president of the victims’ relatives association, made his first statements, setting the framework for the families’ demands and expressing serious complaints about deficiencies in the judicial process.
Demands for transparency: What’s missing from the dock in the Tempi trial, according to Pavlos Aslanidis
Mr. Aslanidis announced that a request will be filed, through lawyer Mr. Mantzouranис, to allow television and photographic coverage of the trial, despite initial prohibitions. At the same time, he focused particularly on what, in his view, is missing from the dock:
“This trial is starting very late and with people who should be here as defendants, such as Karamanlis, the man who spoke shamefully about safety systems that allegedly existed. He killed our people.”
Furthermore, he noted that there is no indictment for Hellenic Train at the felony level, and that references to the 28 charred children who lost their lives in the deadly explosion are absent, while answers regarding exhumation requests and chemical examinations abroad are still pending.
“Punishment, not just justice” – “There is no Greek justice”
The association president emphasized the overwhelming public support, as hundreds of buses from across the country are expected in Larissa, which he characterized as the “driving force” of the relatives.
“Justice would be if the children came back. We want the punishment of the guilty, exemplary punishment. It’s sad that after three years no one is still imprisoned. Many of those who are criminals are walking free.”
Indeed, when asked by parapolitika.gr what he expects from the trial, Mr. Aslanidis said that “there is no Greek justice.”
