“The sentences imposed on the amusement park owner in Halkidiki, his wife, the ‘Crazy Dance’ ride operator, and the engineer are essentially the minimum in relation to the harm that has befallen my family, with the murder of our Yannis. From tomorrow, our efforts become more systematic in preparing for the Court of Appeal, so that all four will be forced to serve their sentences,” Georgios Kampalis, father of the wrongfully killed 19-year-old Yannis Kampalis, who lost his life at the amusement park in Pefkochori, Halkidiki, in August 2024, tells parapolitika.gr.
His statement comes just hours after the verdict of the Mixed Jury Court of Giannitsa, which unanimously found all four defendants guilty in the high-profile case that shocked the entire country and raised serious questions about the safety and legal operation of amusement parks in Greece.
Death of 19-year-old at Halkidiki amusement park: All four defendants unanimously found guilty – Timeline of the tragedy
Specifically, the amusement park owner was sentenced to life imprisonment plus eight additional years, as he was found guilty of manslaughter with possible intent against the 19-year-old and attempted manslaughter with possible intent against his brother who was on the same ride. His wife and co-owner of the business was found guilty of simple complicity in these specific crimes and sentenced to nine years in prison. The 21-year-old operator of the “Crazy Dance” ride was found guilty of fatal endangerment, simple endangerment, and causing simple bodily harm and sentenced to six years in prison. Meanwhile, the mechanical engineer, who was found guilty of simple complicity in completed and attempted manslaughter with possible intent, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.
It is recalled that on the fatal evening of August 19, 2024, 19-year-old Yannis Kampalis from Veria, who was vacationing in Pefkochori, Halkidiki with his family, was fatally injured when the amusement park ride he was on malfunctioned and broke, causing the young man to be ejected from his seat. At the same time, his younger brother, who was on the same ride, was seriously endangered.
“Kassandra municipality is complicit in the child’s murder”
Mr. Kampalis makes it clear that the legal battle does not stop with the first-instance decision, as the family is already preparing for the Court of Appeal. As he says, the goal is to ensure that the convicted individuals will serve the sentences imposed on them, while he also believes there are other responsibilities that need to be investigated.
“The path also opens for the case concerning the participation of Kassandra municipality. We believe that the municipality is complicit in the child’s murder, and this will be judged based on the evidence that has emerged and what will be presented subsequently,” he argues.
It is worth noting that Anastasia Chalkia had been dismissed from her position as mayor of Kassandra regarding the amusement park tragedy case in Pefkochori, Halkidiki, by decision of the Disciplinary Council, which was also upheld by the Council of State.
However, Mr. Kampalis appears positive about the court’s overall judgment, despite disagreeing with the recognition of mitigating factors for certain defendants.
“I want to thank the Mixed Jury Court of Giannitsa for the thorough effort they made to deliver justice. However, I believe that in the case of the engineer, there should definitely have been pre-trial detention. He was knowledgeable about everything concerning his field of expertise and knew very well the danger that existed, as it was proven that the machine was a pile of junk,” he said characteristically.
“We continue even more dynamically”
In closing, the 19-year-old’s father spoke of a first, but not complete, vindication for the family. “We feel partially vindicated and we continue even more dynamically. It was a first assessment of everyone’s participation in my child’s murder,” he says, sending the message that the family’s fight will continue until the final judgment of Justice.
