Four life sentences and an additional prison term of 80 years and 3 months (of which 25 years are to be served) were imposed a short while ago by the Mixed Jury Court of Athens on the former parliamentary police officer, who was found guilty of a series of felony charges concerning the sexual and physical abuse of his children and his now separated wife.

Specifically, judges and jurors unanimously found the 46-year-old defendant guilty of offences such as repeated rape, repeated and concurrent sexual abuse of minors by a person in a position of trust, sexual acts between relatives, child pornography (production and possession), systematic domestic bodily harm against minors, domestic illegal violence, as well as illegal possession and use of weapons. The only offence for which he was acquitted was illegal weapons possession. According to the ruling, these offences were committed against his four underage children as well as his former wife.

Acquittal by majority for his wife
In contrast, his wife was acquitted by majority (5–2) of the charges against her, which included rape of a minor, abuse of a minor by a close relative, and sexual acts between relatives, repeatedly and concurrently. She argued that she had been forced into these acts against her children by her estranged husband, who had threatened her life as well as the lives of their children. As announced by the court, the majority decision acquitting her was based on “incapacity to understand the illegality of the act” and the “existence of a significant dilemma.” “Thank you very much and I apologise again publicly,” the mother said upon hearing the verdict, while relatives in the courtroom broke down in tears.

The 46-year-old remained expressionless as he heard the verdict
In contrast, the 46-year-old former police officer showed no reaction as the verdict was announced and then left the courtroom. Earlier, he had requested the mitigating factor of a previously lawful life, but the court rejected the request in line with the prosecutor’s recommendation.

It should be noted that the court’s decision regarding his estranged wife was contrary to the prosecutor’s proposal, who had recommended that she be found guilty.

The trial had been held behind closed doors for months in order to protect the minor children and victims.