Maggo case: Testimony of excessive force by police officers in Volos
A witness testified in court that he saw police officers beating Vassilis Maggo with a baton, whilst a woman described him being dragged into the police station.
Maggo case: Testimony of excessive force by police officers in Volos
The trial of six police officers accused of torture against Vassilis Maggo in June 2020 continued at the Mixed Jury Court of Karditsa.
A lawyer who was in Volos testified that he witnessed the incident outside the courthouse. According to his testimony, Maggo was moving towards the patrol car, protesting, where arrested persons were being transported. One of the accused police officers pointed him out to his colleagues, who then attacked the young man, striking him with a baton.
The witness characterised the violent behaviour as unjustified, noting that Maggo had not displayed an aggressive stance and had voluntarily retreated before the attack. "He could not have done anything else," he stated characteristically.
A student who was at the scene testified that she saw Maggo at the police station after his arrest. She described him as being dragged, in a miserable condition, unable to walk. The police officers were insulting and mocking him, whilst not providing him with water. The witness heard two police officers discussing whether they would release him with an escape charge or transfer him to hospital, with one responding that due to his condition neither of the two was feasible.
The defence of one of the accused attempted to challenge the testimony of the victim's mother, pointing to inconsistencies in her previous statements. The mother confirmed that she saw her son daily, with the lawyer ultimately admitting his mistake and asking for forgiveness.
Source: ERT News
Source: ERT