Police officers remanded in custody over shooting of 20-year-old in Argos
Two OPKE police officers were remanded in custody following a nine-hour hearing in Nafplio. They shot a 20-year-old during a pursuit, resulting in serious injury to him.
Police officers remanded in custody over shooting of 20-year-old in Argos
Two members of the Crime Prevention and Suppression Unit (OPKE) are being taken to Korydallos Prison after being remanded in custody following lengthy testimony in Nafplio.
The decision was taken unanimously by an investigating magistrate and prosecutor, who determined that the conditions for his temporary detention were met. The hearing before the third ordinary investigating magistrate of Nafplio lasted nine hours and was concluded late on Saturday evening.
The two defendants were involved in a pursuit that resulted in serious injury to a 20-year-old man in Argos. The young man is being treated in the Intensive Care Unit of the Centre for the Restoration of the Blind with an exceptionally critical health condition.
During their testimony, the police officers denied that they intended to kill. They claimed that the shots were fired as warning shots to intimidate, in order for the driver to bring the vehicle to a halt. According to their account, the young man had attempted to hit service vehicles and did not respond to stop signals.
The defence lawyer, Petros Koukoulis, confirmed the remand in custody, noting that his clients retain the right of appeal within the next ten days. He characterised the case as particularly sensitive, pointing out that on one side there are police officers and on the other a young man who remains brain dead.
Ballistic and forensic examinations are expected to play a significant role in fully clarifying the circumstances of the incident. The authorities have already collected 13 cartridge cases from the scene, while an air rifle was found in the 20-year-old's car.
The victim's mother claimed that her son has autism with 89 per cent disability and mild intellectual disability. She reported that he took the car without permission whilst she was sleeping, and that he was terrified when the police officers signalled him to stop, as he had left his driving licence at home.
Source: Εφημερίδα των Συντακτών
Source: Efimerida ton Syntakton