Valyraki death: Family lodges appeal against fishermen's acquittal
On Tuesday 13 October, the Valyraki family lodges an appeal request with the appellate prosecutor against the acquittal verdict. Lawyer Zoe Konstantopoulou characterises an announcement by the Union of Prosecutors as improper intervention.
Valyraki family: Appeal request to Athens appellate prosecutor
On Tuesday 13 October 2026, the family of former minister Sifis Valyraki will lodge an appeal request with the Athens appellate prosecutor to appeal the acquittal verdict in the trial of the fishermen. According to Newsit.gr, this action follows the acquittal verdict concerning the death of the prominent PASOK politician.
Lawyer Zoe Konstantopoulou, representing the family, issued a press release on the evening of Monday 12 October in which she emphasises that "she maintains the conviction that the defendants as direct perpetrators are not innocent, but guilty, a position which the Prosecutor of the Court supported and which the Court President expressed resoundingly as a minority opinion in the Decision".
Konstantopoulou also notes that "the guilt of the defendants emerged from a wealth of evidence that was examined and brought to light during the oral procedure over an entire year", characterising the acquittal verdict as "entirely inconsistent with the overwhelming evidence of guilt".
Attack on the Union of Prosecutors
The lawyer also turns against an announcement issued by the Union of Prosecutors of Greece on the evening of Friday 9 October 2026. She characterises this announcement as "inadmissible interference", arguing that there is an attempt to "comprehensively reframe the case and prevent the lodging of an appeal".
"The union body of prosecutors has no authority whatsoever to comment on the merits of the case", states Konstantopoulou, adding that there are pending proceedings against two Coast Guard officials who are referred for attempted concealment and attempted covering up of those responsible.
The Union of Prosecutors announcement, according to Konstantopoulou, "disregards the Prosecutor of the Court's submission regarding guilt and the resounding minority opinion of the Court President", whilst attempting to "prejudge the decision of the Appellate Prosecutor during the deadline period". The lawyer characterises this move as "in all respects improper interference in an open case".
Later on Tuesday afternoon, the lawyers supporting the prosecution will hold a press conference at the offices of the Athens Bar Association.
Source: Newsit.gr