The testimony of Alexandros, son of Sifis Valyrakis, continued today, Thursday (23/10) at the Athens Mixed Jury Court in the trial for the murder of the former PASOK minister, who was found dead in the waters off Eretria in January 2021. Two brothers, fishermen, sit in the dock accused of premeditated homicide and conspiracy.
Alexandros Valyrakis, examined by the court, described what he witnessed at the hospital when called to identify his father’s body. “My father was attacked, he covered his head but couldn’t protect himself enough to survive,” the witness stated, noting that the image he saw was “shocking”.
Son of Sifis Valyrakis: “I saw a man with defensive wounds who had been beaten”
Referring to the injuries he observed, he said: “I saw a man with defensive wounds who had been beaten, even on his face. He had bruises on his head and a massive wound on his neck.” The witness mentioned that on the day of the incident he was in Athens and was informed with delay, as his mobile phone was turned off. “When I arrived in Eretria, I was struck by how many people were there. How were they allowed to stand just five meters away? I saw my father covered and my brother collapsed on the ground. My first reaction was to protect my father,” he testified.
Responding to a question from the court president about whether he knew of any potential conflicts his father had with professional fishermen, Alexandros Valyrakis said: “No, until my father died I didn’t know about these things. Later I learned that professional fishermen, if they didn’t like certain things, would even ram boats. I heard horrifying things…”
When asked if he knew the defendants, the witness replied that he only learned of them when the family received the case file. From the prosecution side, he was asked about his father’s character: “He wasn’t confrontational at all. He was quiet, simple and honest. He didn’t fight with anyone. I had never heard him swear,” he answered.
Alexandros Valyrakis categorically ruled out the possibility that his father’s injuries came from a propeller: “It never crossed my mind that the wounds on my father’s body were from a propeller. His spearfishing suit was intact,” he emphasized, adding that his father was particularly careful when spearfishing and always followed strict safety rules.
