The trial of three young people accused of harboring a criminal began at the Athens Three-Member Misdemeanor Court in connection with the murder case of a 27-year-old at Asyrmatos Park in Athens. The main perpetrator, 20 years old, has already confessed to the murder and has been remanded in custody.
Murder case of 27-year-old in Athens: Prosecutor’s recommendations and witness testimonies
The prosecutor recommended the acquittal of all three defendants, including the victim’s ex-girlfriend, from the charge of harboring a criminal. However, she requested that the case files be forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office regarding the 20-year-old friend of the perpetrator, to investigate him for simple complicity in attempted homicide.
In her address, the prosecutor argued that the stance of the 20-year-old friend of the perpetrator “defies common logic,” noting that he was found next to the perpetrator before, during, and after the incident. She emphasized that it cannot be accepted that they left the victim helpless after his injury. Regarding the two 20-year-old female defendants, she noted that despite the moral aspect of the case, there is no specific legal obligation required by law to establish harboring.
The defendant expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and claimed that he saw the perpetrator stab the 27-year-old from a distance. As he said, he ran toward the scene, but when he noticed the knife, he feared for his life and followed the perpetrator when he asked him to leave.
He also referred to the fact that he did not notify the authorities, saying he was in a state of fear and shock, as the perpetrator knew where he lived and had previously displayed aggressive behavior. Regarding their later move to an Airbnb in Piraeus, he claimed he remained stunned by what he had seen and had not fully realized the seriousness of the situation.
Particularly emotional was the testimony of the 27-year-old’s father, who spoke while holding a photograph of his son. He accused the 20-year-old friend of the perpetrator of abandoning the victim without trying to help or distance himself from the perpetrator.
He further claimed that the defendant knew the perpetrator was carrying a knife, while also referring to communication he had the next day with one of the defendants, saying she appeared to ignore what had happened.
The victim’s ex-partner testified that she had advised the 27-year-old not to meet with the perpetrator, without believing there was danger to his life. She described that after the incident, the perpetrator did not appear anxious, while later he revealed to her that he had injured the victim. As she said, when she learned of his death, she could not believe what had happened.
Referring to the fact that she met with the perpetrator again that evening, she claimed she was in a state of denial and had not realized the reality.
The second 20-year-old defendant declared herself devastated by the case, expressed her condolences to the family, and admitted she should have contacted her parents immediately. As she mentioned, she was unable to psychologically handle what had happened.
The mothers of the defendants argued that their children were in a state of fear and shock after the incident. The 20-year-old’s mother said her son was afraid to contact the authorities immediately, while the 20-year-old’s mother testified that her daughter could not psychologically handle the event.
The trial was adjourned and will continue on June 30.
