Shocking testimony of 29-year-old in Lignadi trial: "I was 17 then and he was 50"
A 29-year-old accuser gave testimony at the Mixed Jury Appeals Court regarding two rape allegations against Dimitri Lignadi, describing in detail what he claims he experienced as a minor.
Shocking testimony of 29-year-old in Lignadi trial: "I was 17 then and he was 50"
The witness testimony proceedings have begun in the trial of former National Theatre artistic director Dimitri Lignadi. The defendant is in the dock of the Mixed Jury Appeals Court, facing charges related to three rapes.
One of the young men who have alleged sexual abuse took the stand first, and is now 29 years old. The witness recounted how he came into contact with the defendant at the age of 17, through a social network. According to what he stated, Lignadi showed interest in his personal life and managed to gain his trust.
The witness described the difficult circumstances in which he grew up. He mentioned that his parents had problems with alcohol, that there was intense violent behaviour in the home, and serious financial difficulties that included lack of electricity and water. He himself had poor performance at school and faced bullying from classmates.
The 29-year-old, who had lived at the defendant's residence for several months, reiterated his allegations of two instances of sexual abuse. He described the events in detail, noting that on the second occasion there was another person present in the space, a peer of his.
In his testimony, the witness stated that he had not come forward with a complaint at the time, because he was a minor and was in the country illegally without the necessary documents. Additionally, frequent police visits to his parents' home had created fear.
"Now I realise the gravity of the fact that I was 17 then and he was 50," he stated characteristically. The young man added that he had come to court to seek justice and to help others who may have found themselves in a similar situation.
Source: Newsbeast