The Three-Member Court of Appeals (second instance) unanimously acquitted the 13 defendants in the “Spartans” case, including Ilias Kasidiaris.

With their ruling, the judges followed the proposal made earlier in the courtroom by the presiding prosecutor, who requested the full exoneration of the defendants.

Specifically, in the dock of the appellate court sat 11 current and former MPs of the “Spartans” party, with the main charge being voter fraud during the 2023 elections, Ilias Kasidiaris (moral instigation of voter fraud), and one lawyer (aiding and abetting voter fraud).

It is recalled that this case came to the attention of the Justice system when the president of the “Spartans,” Vasilis Stigas, from the floor of Parliament, spoke of a “Greek mafia” and alleged extortion within his party, “pointing at” Ilias Kasidiaris.

However, Mr. Stigas later retracted his allegations, attributing everything he had claimed to a moment of poor judgment and misinformation.

It should be noted that after Mr. Stigas’ allegations, an investigation was conducted by the then Attorney General of the Supreme Court, Georgia Adilini, and subsequently the case was brought to trial.

Finally, in the first instance, all defendants had been acquitted, but the case reached the Court of Appeal following an appeal filed by the Appeals Prosecutor’s Office.