In the testimony of Police Chief Piraeus, who is accused of helping suspects escape on the fateful night of December 7, 2023, is the focus of everyone’s attention.
A handful of people, unknown to the family of the murdered police officer Giorgos Lingeridis, moved by the tragedy his parents are facing alone, they left their jobs and rushed to Korydallos, where the trial is taking place, to stand by them!
The appeal by Eugenia Stratos-Lyggeridis touched their hearts, as they say, and with tears in their eyes yesterday, they joined their voices with the parents’ in the hope that their repeated request for the transfer of the trial to the Athens Court of Appeals. “Here are friends who want to attend the trial with us. They heard our pleas, our call, and came all the way here to stand with us in the fight we’re waging over our child’s death,” said the mother of the slain police officer.
“We don’t know them; we came to show our support. We were moved by their tragedy whenever we hear them say that we are the only ones here in prison behind bars. EWe’ve come from very far away; if this were at the Athens Court of Appeals, we’d be coming all the time—and we wouldn’t be the only ones,” said Ms. Maria Micha, visibly shaken.
“I’m here with my husband and my sister because we’ve heard that they’re on their own in this trial over the unjust loss of their child. We put aside whatever we had to do and came here from Menidi to support these people. We’ve felt their pain; we’re very moved,” said Ms. Alexandra Tsalta.
And yesterday, the mother of Giorgos Lyggeridis reiterated her request to have the trial transferred to the Court of Appeals, now that, as she said, a new courtroom has been inaugurated that meets all the requirements for a safe and comfortable trial. “I hope that the minister will finally transfer us to the Court of Appeals, even though our request has not been granted to date,” she added.
Significant testimony
Meanwhile, the following is eagerly anticipated next week the testimony of the Piraeus police chief, who bore full responsibility for the safe conduct of the match on that fateful night of December 7, 2023, at the “Melina Merkouri” Stadium in Renti.
The presiding judge underscored the significance of his testimony, announcing that two days would be allotted and no other witnesses would be summoned, so that he could be thoroughly questioned by both the court and the attorneys.
This is because the brigadier general in question has been accused not only by the parents of Giorgos Lyggeridis but also by many of his colleagues who were present during the incidents, both inside and outside the stadium, that he smuggled suspects out under the pretext that they were athletes, while disregarding the Attica Police Chief’s order to close the gates and prevent anyone from leaving without being checked, except for the elderly, women, and children. We remind you that the trial prosecutor has recommended to the court that the trial transcripts be forwarded to the Piraeus Prosecutor’s Office for criminal evaluation.
However, as the presiding judge reiterated yesterday, the court’s decision will be handed down after the police chief has finished testifying, so that there is a complete picture of the facts and a comparison of testimonies regarding his role that night.
“We are anxiously awaiting the police chief’s testimony. We must state this, as painful as it is: a young man lost his life because certain people colluded with the criminals. For us, the main issue is to highlight that, at least on that day at the stadium, there was no security because no physical or other checks were being conducted,” said yesterday the Lyggeridis family’s attorney Mary Hatzikonstantinou, who also addressed the issue of witnesses changing their testimonies, now that they are appearing in court, noting: “We must demonstrate the credibility of the witnesses because they come here intimidated, coerced, and change their original statements.”
“There was an explicit order”
A police officer testifying as a witness in the sports violence case confirmed yesterday that “the responsibility for the physical screening of fans entering the stadium, as well as for the safe conduct of the match, has always rested with the Piraeus police chief”, while reiterating that all his colleagues were aware that there was an explicit order—given to them repeatedly via radio– from the Attica Police Chief that no one was to leave the stadium and that the gates were to be closed.
The witness also stated that there was a coordinated effort by organized fans to provoke disturbances outside the stadium as well, since he saw them leaving in groups without any signal being given.
