Rape at Homonia Police Station: Prosecutor sought acquittal of officers and blamed the victim
The prosecutor recommended acquittal for three DIAS special guards accused of raping a 19-year-old at Homonia Police Station, assigning responsibility to the victim herself.
Prosecutor acquits police officers of rape at Homonia Police Station — "she didn't say no"
The prosecutor of the Mixed Jury Court recommended acquittal on grounds of doubt for the three special guards of the DIAS unit, according to Efimerida ton Syntakton. The accused face charges of raping a 19-year-old at Homonia Police Station in October 2022 — two as perpetrators and one for complicity.
"The sexual act was proven, but not that it occurred without consent. She is a victim, but not in the legal sense, since they exploited their position. From a position of power they engaged in sexual acts, but there was no abuse," the prosecutor stated during his address.
"She didn't shout, didn't ask for help"
The prosecutor argued that the complainant did not react in the way he deemed appropriate. "She didn't say no, she didn't demonstrate her refusal and her reaction. She didn't leave the room even when she was alone in it for a few minutes before the second one entered, who then left again to wash his hands. She didn't shout, didn't ask for help, didn't mobilise herself," he stressed, attributing responsibility to the victim.
In what was characterised as a logical leap, the prosecutor questioned why the complainant did not go to the domestic violence office — which was located just a few metres away — to report the police officers to their colleagues.
The victim had stated during her testimony that she was in a state of shock, had frozen and was afraid, both because of the abusive behaviour of her father and because of the position of power of the accused.
Favourable stance towards the police officers
The prosecutor criticised the police officers only for the fact that, in his view, they exposed the Greek Police and committed disciplinary offences. He argued in their favour, contending that "they would have chosen a different location than the police station" if they had truly committed rape, characterising this scenario as an "implausible and illogical version".
Homonia Police Station is known for numerous complaints of violence against detainees and is characterised as a "place of torture".
The video that was never recovered
A central point of the prosecutor's address was a screenshot from the body camera of one of the accused, in which the complainant appears to be smiling. She had explained during her testimony that this was a screenshot from the moment when she was trembling from shock and fear.
The full body camera footage was never recovered: the accused claimed the device was broken and disposed of both the camera and the memory card with all its contents. Only three thumbnails could be recovered.
The same accused faces a separate charge of personal data violation, for which the prosecutor requested his conviction, as he allegedly videotaped the relevant acts.
Events of 11 October 2022
The incident unfolded on the evening of 11 October 2022. The complainant approached the three police officers to ask about a work matter. They told her they were not competent to help, but suggested she follow them to Homonia Police Station to speak with the Officer on Duty. The young woman followed them and was taken to a basement room, next to the domestic violence department, where the alleged acts were committed.
Loud disapproval from the audience
Feminist organisations attended the courtroom in a show of support for the complainant. During the prosecutor's address, those present expressed loud disapproval of the content of the recommendation. The court's decision is expected on Friday 10 July.
Source: Efimerida ton Syntakton