Tempe: PASOK and government in clash after Triantafyllos referred to Special Court
The referral of Christos Triantafyllos to the Special Court for tampering with the site of the Tempe tragedy has triggered sharp confrontation between the government and PASOK.
Political clash over Tempe following ruling on Triantafyllos
Newsit.gr reports that the decision by the Judicial Council to refer Christos Triantafyllos to the Special Court for tampering with the site of the railway accident at Tempe — which claimed the lives of 57 people — has become a field of open confrontation between the government and PASOK.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis characterised it as "outrageous" for PASOK to invoke vindication, reminding the party that it had previously described Triantafyllos's request to be tried by his natural judges as a "bold decision". Marinakis stressed that the referral constitutes an intermediate stage and not a final judgment, emphasising that the government fully trusts the judiciary, in contrast — as he indicated — to statements from opposition representatives, including Nikos Androulakis.
PASOK responded by saying "the more Mr Marinakis speaks, the more he exposes himself", recalling that it was Adonis Georgiadis who had publicly stated that Triantafyllos's involvement constituted a "conspiracy around the Maximos Mansion", whilst Makis Voridis had said from the parliamentary podium that there were no "indications of guilt" for the former deputy minister. They also cited an earlier statement by Floridis — "whoever talks about dumping is talking about rubbish" — and asked who is now before a court.
PASOK also widened its criticism, focusing on Article 86 of New Democracy's constitutional revision proposal: according to this, the decision to pursue criminal prosecution remains with Parliament and thus depends on the government majority of the day.
Five defendants referred to Special Court
Beyond Triantafyllos, referred to the Special Court as participants in the breach of duty are the then regional governor of Thessaly Kostas Agoratos and the former secretary general of Civil Protection Vasilis Papagiorgios. Also taking their place in the dock will be the then police director of Larissa Agapios Charakopoulos and the regional director of the Fire Service for Thessaly Evangelos Falaras.
Agoratos: "The trial is political"
Speaking to ERT News on 29 September 2026, Kostas Agoratos stated that he expected his referral, characterising the procedure as a "political trial". He argued that the Thessaly Region had no lawful competence in managing the incident and that its role was exclusively supportive.
"When a person has no responsibility, has no competence, has no coordination under the law and regarding the actual circumstances, and finds themselves at the Special Court, it is a political matter", Agoratos stated, adding that "this was evident in the regional elections and in all elections". He appeared determined to present evidence which in his estimation proves his innocence, assuring that "the truth will shine through".
Source: Newsit.gr