The court today announced its verdict in the case of the woman who had accused Greek actor Petros Filippidis of repeated rape, a charge of which the popular actor was subsequently acquitted on appeal, following proceedings that lasted several days and examined the evidence.

The woman was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years. Filippidis had filed a complaint against her for false accusation and false testimony after his acquittal on the rape charge.

Upon hearing the guilty verdict, the woman erupted, shouting “shame”. The presiding judge responded: “I want to be able to go home and be at peace with myself. If I am wrong, I am human, and mistakes can happen. You can be sure that I acted according to my conscience. I could have come here and said, ‘Oh, let’s not make an issue of this.’ But I did not study law to do that. I judge according to my conscience. I am neither a prophet nor God.”

“I have nothing to say. I am here to thank my lawyers for the tremendous effort we have made together, and little by little, the truth is emerging. I will not tell you that I am happy with the verdict. Things that happened cannot be undone. I wish no harm on anyone,” Petros Filippidis told journalists.

It is recalled that the prosecutor had called for the defendant to be acquitted, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to establish her guilt. In its ruling, however, the court recognised the mitigating circumstance of her previously law-abiding life.