Lignadis: New trial for three counts of rape of minors – Prosecutor's appeal upheld
Actor Dimitris Lignadis will face retrial at the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal for three counts of rape of minors. The court unanimously accepted the prosecutor's appeal against the first-instance judgment.
Lignadis back in the dock for three counts of rape of minors
Actor and director Dimitris Lignadis will face trial from scratch at the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal in Athens for three cases of rape of underage boys, according to reports by Ta Nea. At first instance, the defendant had been found guilty of two of the three cases and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment with a suspended sentence.
The court unanimously decided to accept the prosecutor's appeal against the first-instance judgment, despite the contrary recommendation of the sitting prosecutor. This development means that the former artistic director of the National Theatre will face the three rape charges anew. The possibility of a harsher sentence also remains open, as the prosecutor's appeal concerns both the charges and the sentence imposed at first instance.
The defendant's defence team submitted a request for the appointment of a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist as an expert witness in order to assess the cognitive ability and mental state of the complainants.
The sitting prosecutor supported the request, proposing a postponement of the trial to satisfy it. "The witnesses were examined in the first-instance court with their physical presence without their testimonies being read out," she stated characteristically, adding that the specialist psychologist should prepare the witnesses and be present during their examination. She also requested a social investigation into the alleged victims by the social welfare officers department.
The prosecution team consented to the request for the appointment of an expert witness, but sought a brief suspension rather than a new postponement. The court reserved its decision to be announced the following day.
Source: Ta Nea