Man acquitted of attempted murder and arson charges in Thessaloniki
The Thessaloniki Mixed Jury Court unanimously acquitted a 46-year-old man of brake cutting and arson. He was convicted only of domestic threats with a 12-month suspended sentence.
Man acquitted of serious charges — conviction only for threatening messages
The Thessaloniki Mixed Jury Court unanimously found a 46-year-old man not guilty of attempted murder, wilful arson and damage to another's property, following the prosecutor's recommendation. According to Newsit.gr, the man had been brought to trial following a complaint from his former partner that he had cut the brake lines in her car and set fire to her house.
The court, however, found him guilty of a separate charge of domestic threats relating to messages he had sent to his former partner. He was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with a three-year suspension, and his prior law-abiding conduct was recognised as a mitigating factor.
The complaint and the two incidents
The case began in summer 2024, when the 46-year-old former partner of the defendant filed a complaint with the authorities. As she alleged, in August 2024, whilst driving in the Serres area, she discovered that the brakes of her car were not working. At the workshop to which the vehicle was taken, it was established, according to her account, that the brake lines had been cut.
Approximately one week later, her house was completely destroyed by fire, whilst she and her child were away. The woman connected the two incidents to dozens of messages which, as she stated, she had been receiving from her former partner, some of which she considered threatening.
The defendant's defence
In his defence, the 46-year-old denied any involvement either with the car or the fire. "We separated because she had issues with alcohol. I had telephone contact — purely out of concern, and then she blocked me. I was not trying to get back together with her," he stated in court. He characterised the complaint as false and argued that the fire in the house was due to a problem with the electrical installation.
With its final ruling, the court cleared him of the serious charges, convicting him exclusively of the domestic threats charge.
Source: Newsit.gr