Testimony in Lignádis trial: "I was afraid he would abuse me too"
A witness who was present at the sexual abuse of his friend testified that he froze in terror and was unable to react.
Testimony in Lignádis trial: "I was afraid he would abuse me too"
A man who was 19 years old when the events occurred testified yesterday at the appellate court in the trial of Dimítris Lignádis. The witness was in the same space when his friend suffered sexual abuse.
According to Efimeríða ton Syntáktōn, the witness said he met the defendant through his friend. He received an invitation for a drink at a house, and that is where the introduction took place. Later he received a proposition with sexual content, which he rejected. After that he refused to find himself alone with Lignádis again.
During his testimony, the witness described the moment of the attack on his friend. When the judge asked if he had shown that he did not consent, he replied that consent obtained through force cannot exist. Regarding his own reaction, he said that he was frightened and feared that he too would be next. He froze in the face of the violent act and was unable to intervene, even though he had the physical ability.
The prosecutor asked him why he did not leave with the victim after the incident. The witness replied that he told his friend that he was leaving, but he himself was unable to move. He expressed his regret that he did not do something at that time and noted that he did not know how to handle the situation.
His testimony confirmed what the victim had previously stated, providing similar descriptions and clarifying that there was no consent.
The witness explained that he decided to speak after many years, when the victim's lawyer contacted him. He decided to be there to support his friend, something he had been unable to do at that time.
Source: Google News GR — Crime (el)