New prosecutions against acquitted demonstrators from 2019 in Exarcheia
A prosecutor recommends the dismissal of felony charges against demonstrators who had already been acquitted for the same incidents during the Polytechnic march.
New prosecutions against acquitted demonstrators from 2019 in Exarcheia
More than ten people who had been acquitted of all charges following their arrest at a gathering marking the anniversary of the Polytechnic in November 2019 in Exarcheia have been called to testify again for the same incidents.
During that evening, the individuals in question were taken to an underground car park on Bouboulina Street. There, as they claimed, they were subjected to violent treatment by members of the riot police. Despite their complaints, the first-instance court found them not guilty, as the police officers failed to identify them.
Seven years later, the same individuals are being called to face serious charges anew. Among these are charges of causing an explosion that could have endangered lives, attempted joint infliction of serious injury, and violation of regulations concerning explosive materials — offences that have already expired.
The prosecutor examining the new case before the Misdemeanour Court of the capital fundamentally contests the indictment. In her recommendation, she notes that there is insufficient evidence to connect the defendants to specific actions. She states characteristically that no witness was able to identify which of those present threw Molotov cocktails.
Furthermore, the prosecutor emphasises that mere participation in a group of demonstrators does not constitute sufficient evidence of guilt. Based on the previous acquittal decision, she recommends dismissal of the charge of attempted deliberate serious bodily harm on grounds of res judicata and pending proceedings, as well as discontinuation of prosecution for the offences that have expired.
Source: Newspaper of the Editors
Source: Efimerida ton Syntakton