01/04/2026 14:41
A short while ago, Panos Routsis was discharged from the hospital and stated that he had high blood pressure.
01/04/2026 14:41
Relative to Konstantopoulou: “You don’t respect us”
“She became a symbol of the struggle and is now in the hospital due to extreme police violence in here. You must order an investigation into what happened. Are relatives being assaulted by police officers? I feel a responsibility toward this person. Is it possible that your parents are to blame?” said Ms. Konstantopoulou.
At that point, a woman from the back of the courtroom shouted:
“You don’t respect us, Ms. Konstantopoulou…”
Konstantopoulou: “Do you approve of violence against a parent? Tell us…”
Relative: “You don’t respect us…”
Konstantopoulou: “Obviously, these tensions are being artificially created…”
01/04/2026 14:40
The father of 18-year-old Anastasia Papageli, who died in Tempi, took the floor
“With absolute respect, we came here today for our Anastasia. To hear from the defendants why they killed her. But many people are missing from the defendants’ bench, such as Mr. Karamanlis and the Secretary General. Representatives of the consortium for Contract 717 are also absent, those responsible for its delayed implementation—if it had been completed, the tragedy would have been avoided.
We came to learn why the cause of the fireball is missing. Why did the audio recordings disappear? We came to learn: Why was the site covered over? Why was evidence destroyed? Why are officials hiding so much about the Tempi crime?”
01/04/2026 14:27
Konstantopoulou disagrees with how lawyers and relatives enter the courtroom
Among other things, Zoe Konstantopoulou criticized the directive issued by the presiding judge regarding how lawyers and relatives enter the courtroom, saying it exceeded the judge’s authority and was issued “in consultation with Floridis.”
She also said that members of the judiciary—implicitly referring to the president of the Judges and Prosecutors Association, Christoforos Sevastidis—“think they are conducting the trial with you.” She again raised the issue of the allegedly unlawful selection of the court panel months earlier.
01/04/2026 14:14
Konstantopoulou criticizes the investigating judge
The presiding judge called for silence in the courtroom, saying, “This must be like a church here, you must be quiet.”
Konstantopoulou replied: “We certainly do not consider the court a church.”
She continued the process of formally declaring her legal representation, while criticizing the investigating judge who handled the case and describing the indictment as highly inadequate.
01/04/2026 13:56
Aslanidis: “I want all the accused to go to the deepest dungeon.”
“The process has begun—that’s what we wanted,” said Pavlos Aslanidis, president of the Victims’ Association, adding that “we have something to say to Mr. Sevastidis: we are not a criminal organization.”
“I want all the accused…” (statement cuts off)
Nikos Plakias: “It was an emotional day because we heard the names of our children. Some adjustments were made in the courtroom, but there is still no direct line of sight. Let’s hope this issue will be resolved.”
Dimitris Plakias: “We came here to do everything in our power to seek justice for our children, to make sure all those responsible go to prison. There have been some improvements in the courtroom, but changes need to be made to the seating of relatives because we still can’t see.”
Zoe Konstantopoulou requested audiovisual coverage of the trial; a new half-hour recess was called
During the formal proceedings for the Papagelis family, who lost their 18-year-old daughter in Tempi, Zoe Konstantopoulou spoke of an extremely incomplete indictment and requested a full recording of the trial, as well as “audiovisual coverage of the proceedings,” arguing that the “conditions that have been created amount to a violation of public justice.”
Statement by Nikos Plakias on the second day of the Tempi trial
Continuing, the lawyer said: “I ask that my request be considered… During the previous hearing, events occurred that were not recorded, resulting in false records of the proceedings and manipulations for public communication. There are no conditions for a fair trial. Please rule on my request before I make further statements.”
The prosecutor requested a half-hour recess to review Ms. Konstantopoulou’s request and to submit her recommendation to the court so that it could make a decision. The court adjourned for half an hour.
“Immortal!” shouted Nikos Plakias when the names of his twin daughters were heard in court
01/04/2026 12:31
Panos Routsis is in good health
According to information, Panos Routsis, who was transferred to the University Hospital, remains under short-term hospitalization and is in good health.
Mr. Routsis, according to the president of POEDHN, Michalis Giannakos, had fainted.
01/04/2026 12:26
Claudia’s mother: “Please do everything to bring my child’s killers to justice”
During the formal proceedings, Ms. Alma Lata, who lost her daughter Claudia in Tempi, asked to speak in court:
“Madam President, I ask you to put yourself in my position when you return home tonight. Put yourself in my place — I am a mother…”
President: “The time will come; you will tell us everything, and I will listen carefully.”
Mother: “Please, do everything to ensure my child’s killers are brought to justice; I ask you as a mother.”
President: “Thank you very much, please be seated.”
01/04/2026 12:25
Lawyer of Pavlos Aslanidis, Giannis Mantzouranis: “The trial should proceed and conditions for a fair trial should be ensured — this is my client’s wish”
Specifically, Mr. Mantzouranis, during the formal proceedings for Pavlos Aslanidis, stated that “my client’s wish is to ensure a fair trial, which even today is not fully guaranteed, and for the process to continue, because we also have objections and other issues.”
01/04/2026 12:12
Antonis Psaropoulos: “This trial is the fight of my life”
Antonis Psaropoulos is attending the trial as a lawyer supporting the prosecution. He lost his daughter, Marthi, in the Tempi tragedy, whom he had with his former wife, Maria Karystianou.
In a brief statement to the court, Mr. Psaropoulos said:
“For me, this trial is the fight of my life, and I will do whatever is necessary to achieve justice for my daughter and the other victims of the tragedy. I must balance my role as a father and as a lawyer. I expect that by the end of the trial, the unanswered questions from the investigation will be addressed and justice will be served. I would also urge the defense colleagues to show respect toward the victims.”
Mr. Psaropoulos declared his representation in support of the prosecution on behalf of Maria Karystianou and their son.
As the process of legitimizing participation progresses, the appearance of the courtroom is completely different from the first day. Everyone is seated, and there are no people standing in the room.
01/04/2026 11:39
“My child is fighting a tremendous battle with pain and lives in darkness unjustly”: The father of Gerasimos, the only survivor from the first train carriage in Tempi, moves people emotionally.
01/04/2026 11:29
The proceedings continue smoothly
Nikolaos Zisis, whose wife was killed in Tempi, requested to be positioned at the front of the courtroom during the declaration of representation for supporting the prosecution through his lawyer. Mr. Zisis also stated that he himself would attend the trial, while his 5-year-old son would be represented as prescribed by his lawyer.
The following dialogue took place in the courtroom:
Zisis: Can I come to the front?
President: As a party to the case, you may.
Zisis: I want to see who left my child an orphan.
President: Please come.
01/04/2026 11:28
Karystianou: I recognize nothing legal about this trial
“What is happening is outrageous. I arrived late and was placed behind a wall. Since I couldn’t sit there, I moved forward, lifted the barriers, and went up front to hear. The president asked me to be removed or to sit in my place without speaking and just look at the wall. The president, as a compliant instrument, continued her work. I recognize nothing legal in there,” Maria Karystianou said in a statement during the adjournment of the proceedings earlier.
01/04/2026 11:21
…”All of you in prison, scoundrels,” shouted Nikos Plakias, and some applauded, with the president responding, “No applause in the courtroom. “
01/04/2026 11:16
New tension with Zoi Konstantopoulou
While everything was proceeding smoothly and the lawyer for the Plakias family was being legitimized, Zoi Konstantopoulou interrupted again to protest before the bench regarding the partial legitimization of relatives.
“Mercy,” the defense lawyers began shouting at Konstantopoulou’s interruption.
Then N. Plakias intervened and told the court: “Please, silence so that the names of my children can be heard. Anyone who speaks, I will consider showing disrespect toward them.”
01/04/2026 11:14
Nikos and Dimitris Plakias present in the courtroom
Nikos and Dimitris Plakias are present in the courtroom and are being legitimized at this moment.
Dimitris Plakias’ wife is crying, and both brothers are visibly emotional.
01/04/2026 11:08
The proceedings now continue calmly
Relatives are being legitimized.
01/04/2026 11:04
Zoi Konstantopoulou: “Pump up the volume”
In the lower courtroom with the screens for relatives, without direct visual contact with the bench, tension arose after complaints that the proceedings could not be heard. Later, when lawyers were asked to speak near the microphone, Zoi Konstantopoulou entered the courtroom loudly saying, “Pump up the volume.”
Konstantopoulou denounced police violence against Routsis
After a confrontation with police, Panos Routsis is being taken to the hospital.
01/04/2026 10:57
The president asked the police to sit
Following protests from the lawyers, the president asked the police to sit so that the lawyers’ line of sight to the bench would not be blocked.
01/04/2026 10:54
The process of legitimizing the victims’ and survivors’ relatives begins
The prosecutor recommended accepting the representation of defendants in the absence of their lawyers. At this point, the defendants’ legitimization was completed. Now the process of legitimizing the victims’ and survivors’ relatives begins.
01/04/2026 10:53
“What are you doing here?”: Zoe Konstantopoulou posted a video from inside the courtroom on social media
01/04/2026 10:52
The court has returned to the bench
The Tempi trial was briefly suspended to calm tensions.
The court has now returned to the bench.
The process of legitimization continues.
01/04/2026 10:48
Panos Routsis was placed in an ambulance and left
01/04/2026 10:44
Tension again with Zoe Konstantopoulou and a police officer: “Give me your details! You’re pushing a female lawyer?” she shouted at him
01/04/2026 10:43
Panos Routsis was taken out of the courtroom in a wheelchair, escorted by EKAV (ambulance service)
01/04/2026 10:42
Photos from the protest outside the courthouse
Mary Chatzikonstantinou, lawyer for the victims: The trial was adjourned so that we could draft a request for lawyers to abstain until the identified problems are corrected.
Tempi Trial: Mary Chatzikonstantinou, lawyer for the victims
01/04/2026 10:14
Minor tension incidents between the police and Panos Routsi
Minor incidents of tension occurred between police officers and Panos Routsi in the courtroom during the trial’s adjournment.
Mr. Routsi was eventually removed.
01/04/2026 10:12
Routsi: “Unacceptable, all the relatives are shouting, we cannot see the bench, two rows of seats are taken by police, and we are sitting at the edge. We will not allow the trial to proceed like this.”
Tensions marked the start of the second session of the Tempi trial.
- Zoi Konstantopoulou and Maria Karystianou protested the procedure regarding the entry of relatives.
- Relatives who cannot enter the courtroom are protesting.
- Present at the court among the defendants are: Spyros Pateras, former president of OSE; Konstantinos Venetsanakos, head of the ERGOSE Projects Directorate; Apostolos Tsakiris, ERGOSE executive; Emmanouil Georgilakis, ERGOSE executive; and Pavlos Kourzis, ERGOSE executive.
- Strict security measures are in place inside and outside the court.
01/04/2026 10:00
LIVE UPDATES
Konstantopoulou shouts continuously
The court suspends proceedings
01/04/2026 10:01
Konstantopoulou to police officers: “Why are you pushing me? I want to go to my clients.”
Ms. Konstantopoulou shouts inside the courtroom that the police are not allowing her to go to her clients, who are seated at the back of the room.
“I want to go to my client,” she shouts continuously.
01/04/2026 09:59
The procedure continues despite objections
Konstantopoulou: “What exactly did you do? You made disrespectful gestures, Madam President. Why?”
01/04/2026 09:57
Karystianou to the bench: “Today is also my daughter’s birthday—arrest me.”
01/04/2026 09:54
Present at the court so far among the defendants are:
- Spyros Pateras, former president of OSE
- Konstantinos Venetsanakos, head of ERGOSE Projects Directorate
- Apostolos Tsakiris, ERGOSE executive
- Emmanouil Georgilakis, ERGOSE executive
- Pavlos Kourzis, ERGOSE executive
01/04/2026 09:53
Konstantopoulou to her colleagues seated in the audience section:
“They kicked out the relatives so you could sit in these seats? Are we going to accept that?”
01/04/2026 09:50
Karystianou: “We won’t stay silent in every fascist procedure. This is a fascist procedure.”
Karystianou attacks the lawyer of the accused stationmaster Samaras, who is seated at the front among the lawyers’ seats.
01/04/2026 09:48
Konstantopoulou to the bench: “Is this how we will hold the trial? We are being obstructed by the police in front of us.”
The president tries to continue the validation procedure, while Ms. Konstantopoulou continues to challenge the court’s actions, claiming they violate procedural law.
The president ignores her and continues the validation process.
Konstantopoulou: “Tell us from whom you received threats.”
Despite this, the validation procedure continues.
01/04/2026 09:46
Konstantopoulou to the bench: “You were not lawfully selected.”
The president tries to proceed with the procedure.
Konstantopoulou: “I request that the procedure be recorded and videotaped.”
01/04/2026 09:45
President to Karystianou: “If you continue, you will be escorted out.”
“Shame on you, you are unacceptable,” Karystianou said in response.
Karystianou: “This is Floridis’ trial, continue the obstruction.”
01/04/2026 09:43
Karystianou shouting: “I will be at the front, and if you can show me the law, I will be at the front of the trial for my child’s death.”
01/04/2026 09:43
“Shame on you,” shouts Panos Routsis
01/04/2026 09:42
Koutsolambros: “The procedure cannot continue with police officers next to the lawyers.”
01/04/2026 09:41
The president responds: the procedure continues
01/04/2026 09:41
Relatives who cannot enter the courtroom are protesting
01/04/2026 09:40
Tension between Konstantopoulou and the president
“What is this? Did you order police officers to supervise the lawyers?” says Zoi Konstantopoulou.
Lawyers G. Mantzouranis and L. Apostolidis also protest against police presence next to the lawyers.
01/04/2026 09:40
Karystianou: “The trial cannot take place if the relatives are not inside the courtroom.”
“The important thing for us is to all fit inside with our lawyers so the procedure can take place properly.
It is unacceptable to allow only the first 100 people. There is no way— all relatives must be in the courtroom.
The trial cannot take place if the relatives are not inside the courtroom. We are discussing the obvious. Let them keep this parody trial to themselves if they separate us.
I will take photos so all of Greece can see what is happening in the courtroom. If they go so far as to make us break laws in an attempt to obstruct the truth, they will find us standing against them. We are 52 years old and ready to break the law,” said Maria Karystianou.
Konstantopoulou Protests While Holding Her Phone
Zoe Konstantopoulou, addressing Andreas Koutsoulampros (President of the Plenary of Bar Associations), said:
“Mr. President, will the Bar Association accept that lawyers sit here? (i.e. behind the defendants). This has never happened before. Police officers next to lawyers? Monitoring them? Do you accept this as president?”
Ms. Konstantopoulou continued protesting while holding her mobile phone, apparently recording video.
“You are either a president or you are not,” she shouted at Andreas Koutsoulampros.
“The legal profession and its struggles are being betrayed. Shame on you—you engaged in public relations with Floridis. Do you see where they have placed the victims’ relatives?” she said, addressing the President of the Piraeus Bar Association, Ilias Klapas.
He responded:
“The meeting with Floridis took place to improve the conditions in the courtroom.”
Continuing, Ms. Konstantopoulou shouted at both Mr. Klapas and Mr. Koutsoulampros:
“Shame on you—you did not even issue a statement against Sevastidis.”
“The courts conduct trials, not the ministries. If Floridis is going to conduct the trial, then let’s just get it over with,” she continued to shout inside the courtroom, while lawyer and Athens Bar Association board member Th. Mantas attempted to calm her and explain the situation.
Authorities have introduced stricter entry controls for lawyers, defendants, victims’ relatives, and journalists, aiming to ensure a smoother process this time. Cameras and photojournalists are not allowed inside the courtroom, while overall capacity has been increased after structural modifications.
Key Developments
- Separate entrances for lawyers, defendants, relatives, and journalists
- Cameras and photojournalists are banned from the courtroom
- Courtroom capacity expanded following structural changes
- Heavy security measures in place inside and outside the venue
Trial Begins Amid Tension
The court bench has taken its place and proceedings are getting underway, though tensions are already evident both inside and outside the courtroom.
Outside the venue, protesters gathered with the message: “We do not forget, we do not forgive.”
Inside, lawyer and politician Zoe Konstantopoulou strongly objected to the courtroom arrangements, criticizing the placement of lawyers behind the defendants and the presence of police officers nearby.
At one point, she shouted at the president of the Plenary of Bar Associations, questioning whether such conditions were acceptable, calling them unprecedented and offensive to the legal profession.
Only 21 Journalists Allowed in the Main Courtroom
Regarding media access, entry to the main courtroom will be limited to 21 journalists accredited by the Ministry of Justice for court reporting.
Non-accredited journalists will be allowed to enter only through the entrance designated for the parties involved, and only after the first 100 civil claimants (supporting the prosecution) have been admitted. Entry will then be permitted up to a maximum of 25 additional individuals upon presentation of a valid press ID.
They will be directed to a secondary courtroom, where they will be able to follow the proceedings related to the formal identification of the parties.
01/04/2026 – 08:39
What the Defendants Are Charged With
It is recalled that the 36 defendants—including officials from OSE, ERGOSE, RAS, Hellenic Train, and the Ministry of Transport—have been referred to trial on serious charges.
The main felony charge concerns dangerous interference with rail transport with possible intent, involving actions that endangered the safety of transportation and could have caused:
- widespread damage to property
- serious risk to human life
These actions resulted in:
- the deaths of a large number of people
- serious bodily harm to many others
- significant damage to public infrastructure
The charges were allegedly committed repeatedly and jointly.
In addition, the defendants face misdemeanor charges, including:
- multiple counts of negligent homicide
- serious bodily harm through negligence by liable parties (multiple counts)
- simple bodily harm through negligence (multiple counts)
- breach of duty
Courtroom Changes After First-Day Chaos
The first hearing on March 23 was marked by strong reactions from lawyers and victims’ families, mainly due to overcrowding and unsuitable conditions.
In response, the Ministry of Justice:
- Removed partition walls to merge the main hall with the foyer
- Increased seating capacity by at least 100 seats
- Improved sound systems
- Clearly labeled seating areas for each group (lawyers, journalists, families)
Despite improvements, a strong police presence remains, with officers stationed even inside the courtroom.
Heavy Security Presence
“Draconian” security measures are in force both inside and outside the court, following an order by the presiding judge, Georgina Stefanidou.
All attendees must present identification (lawyer, journalist, or ID card), and thorough checks are carried out at multiple entry points.
Voices from Families and Officials
Relatives of victims continue to demand justice and transparency.
One victim’s relative stated:
“We hope this time things will proceed properly. We want the trial to begin, the truth to come out, and justice to be served.”
Another stressed that families should have priority inside the courtroom, calling it “the fair and right thing.”
Ongoing Developments
The trial is expected to be lengthy and complex, with strong public interest and emotional intensity surrounding the proceedings.
Today’s session aims to move forward without the disruptions that halted the initial hearing, though early tensions suggest challenges remain.
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