Dead infant in Kypseli: Bougas presents parliamentary account of prosecutorial action since 2020
Deputy Justice Minister I. Bougas submitted to parliament a detailed chronology of prosecutorial actions regarding the children of the family in Kypseli from April 2020 onwards.
Parliament: Bougas outlines six years of prosecutorial action regarding children in Kypseli
The chronology of prosecutorial and institutional interventions concerning the minor children of the family in Kypseli was submitted to parliament by Deputy Justice Minister Ioannis Bougas, in response to a Current Affairs Question from independent MP for Athens A' Naso Iliopoulou. According to Dikastiko.gr, the question concerned the "management of reports of abuse and neglect of minors" in a case that, as the deputy minister himself characterised it, has shocked Greek society.
Bougas noted that the Minors' Public Prosecutor's Office in Athens has taken the prescribed institutional measures since April 2020. Following written notification by the "Smile of the Child" on 24 April of that year, the Prosecutor's Office contacted the Social Services of the Athens Municipality to conduct a social investigation. The investigation was not feasible at that time, as the family's residence was closed and undergoing renovation, whilst pandemic-related restrictive measures were simultaneously in effect.
Case file opened in 2023 and new social investigations
In 2023, a case file was opened against the parents for exposure of minors. In October of the same year, the Prosecutor's Office again requested the Social Services of the Athens Municipality to conduct a social investigation. Unannounced visits to the residence were carried out on 22 December 2023 and 9 January 2024, though the family was not located.
Subsequently, prosecutorial orders were issued for medical and child psychiatric examinations of the minors, as well as for securing an appropriate care framework. On 31 January 2024, a new prosecutorial order was issued requesting the assistance of the Greek Police to conduct an investigation into living conditions.
Interventions continued through 2025
The actions of the competent authorities continued throughout 2025. On 19 June, the Prosecutor's Office requested a new social investigation into living conditions, whilst on 25 August it contacted Aglaia Kyriakou Children's Hospital seeking information on the status of the three children. On 9 September 2025, a new prosecutorial order was issued for finding a care framework for the two minors and for a new social investigation concerning their place of residence.
Bougas emphasised that the Minors' Public Prosecutor's Office remains in continuous communication with social services, hospitals and police authorities to this day.
Amber Alert and the "House of the Child"
Regarding the question of issuing an Amber Alert, the deputy minister clarified that there is no legislative provision requiring the Prosecutor's Office to activate it. This mechanism, as he explained, concerns cases of disappearance or abduction of children and is activated by the "Smile of the Child" following approval by the Greek Police.
Special reference was made to the "House of the Child", an independent office for the protection of minor victims operating under the responsibility of the Justice Ministry since November 2021. On 2 September 2026, following an urgent request from the Public Safety Section of the Prosecution and Investigation Division of Athens, the "House of the Child" immediately proceeded to examine the three minors, utilising all available departmental and scientific capabilities.
Confidentiality and criminal prosecution
Bougas emphasised that, owing to professional and judicial confidentiality as well as enhanced protection of personal data in cases involving minors, it is not possible to publish further details of the prosecutorial actions.
Referring to the most recent development, he noted that according to press reports, on 8 September the Athens District Prosecutor's Office brought criminal charges against three defendants. "The Prosecutor's Office, as an independent body of the judiciary, takes all necessary measures for the protection of citizens' rights and, in particular, of minor children," stated the Deputy Justice Minister.
Source: Dikastiko.gr