Amid a climate of great tension and with the defendants’ benches empty, the trial for the Tempi tragedy began today in Larissa. Three years after the railway accident that left 57 dead, the long-awaited trial started in an atmosphere of deep suspicion toward the members of the court, as well as continuous objections and complaints about the “unsuitability” of the courtroom, which had been specially converted into a court by the Ministry of Justice. This courtroom, located in the Gaiopolis conference center in Larissa, was unable to accommodate all the victims’ relatives or even the lawyers.

Those who could not enter the room remained outside the courthouse, while even those who initially got in could not hear the presiding judge of the Three-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies, due to temporary microphone problems.

Present in the courtroom today were the defendants Dimitris Nikolaou, former administrative inspector of OSE in Larissa, Konstantinos Mouroudelis, director of the Railway Systems Directorate of OSE, and Spyros Pateras, former president of OSE.

“Shame” and “disgrace”

When the presiding judge declared the session open, protests from lawyers on both sides (defense and prosecution support) escalated, with demands to move the trial to another room pouring in. Enraged relatives of the victims and survivors who managed to enter the courtroom began shouting “shame” and “disgrace.” There were moments during this first day of the trial when chaos literally prevailed—no one could hear anyone else as everyone was talking at once.

Lawyers from both sides, along with the plenary of the presidents of the country’s Bar Associations, raised the issue of the courtroom’s unsuitability. The prosecutor suggested that the room could not be changed, while the presiding judge attempted to begin the formal process of verifying the legal representation of the lawyers.

However, reactions were so strong that the court interrupted the proceedings at least four times to calm tensions. Lawyers also raised safety concerns, requesting that the court provide a fire safety certificate for the venue.

The issue of the courtroom remains unresolved, and it remains to be seen how the court will proceed at the next session, scheduled for April 1. The president of the plenary of the Bar Associations, Andreas Koutsoulambros, also raised the issue of the room’s unsuitability and pledged that the associations would take action to find a solution. Lawyers participating in the trial threatened to abstain from proceedings if the issue is not resolved, while many relatives stated they would withdraw.

It is noted that the main courtroom has approximately 221 seats for lawyers and the public, and 36 seats for the defendants.

“I, as a mother of a victim, will not sit next to a defendant. It is very offensive for a mother to sit next to a defendant,” said a victim’s mother.

Safety concerns

Lawyers also raised concerns about the safety of the proceedings if held in this specific room. Indicative are statements made in court by Maria Gratsia and Ioannis Mantzouranis, lawyers supporting the prosecution:

“Following our request submitted 15 minutes ago, we hereby also request in writing that a unit of the Fire Service immediately visit the Larissa conference center, where the Tempi trial is to be held, due to excessive overcrowding and gathering of people. Many are standing very close to one another. The unit should check whether the requirements for fire safety equipment, as stipulated by current legislation and Presidential Decree 41/2018 (Building Fire Protection Regulation), are met, particularly Article 7 regarding public gatherings.

We request your immediate action to determine whether safety standards required by law are being observed, which you have a duty to ensure, and whether the legal conditions for the offense of endangerment under Article 306 of the Penal Code are met.

We also attach an indicative publication referring to the existing overcrowding, which prompted complaints in court from many relatives and lawyers present.”

Who was present in court

Present in court were the defendants Dimitris Nikolaou, former administrative inspector of OSE in Larissa, Konstantinos Mouroudelis, director of the Railway Systems Directorate of OSE, and Spyros Pateras, former president of OSE. When Mr. Pateras entered the room, tensions rose, and relatives shouted: “I’ll tear you apart with my own hands. That won’t save you.”