Supreme Court Prosecutor asked the head of the Athens Appeals Court Prosecutors’ Office to examine the possibility of an appeal against a Misdemeanor Court ruling on the Mati fire.
In its ruling on Monday, the court had acquitted 15 of those facing charges for the devastating fire in July 2018, where 104 people lost their lives and dozens were injured. At the same time, those found guilty received sentences that allow them to walk free against a low amount of bail. The decision triggered an outrage not only among the victims’ relatives but also in the society.
The order of the Supreme Court prosecutor asked an investigation into whether there can be an automatic appeal against the acquittals, as well as of the mitigating circumstances admitted in the case of those found guilty in the same ruling, in addition to the sentences imposed and the manner in which they will be served.
The court’s decision, reached after more than eighteen months, found only five high-ranking state officials guilty, primarily from the Fire Service, while absolving those responsible for Civil Protection and local government officials.
Adilini asked that there be an investigation into whether there can be an automatic appeal against the acquittals, as well as of the mitigating circumstances admitted in the case of those found guilty in the same ruling, in addition to the sentences imposed and the manner in which they will be served.
And how can this only be a misdemeanor and not a felony in the first place?