The tragic rise of femicides in Greece continues to horrify the nation, with 12 reported cases in 2024. In the latest incident on November 11, 2024, a woman, Dóra, was fatally shot by her ex-partner in Agrinio. Despite quick medical intervention, she died shortly after naming the assailant.
The 49-year-old suspect, with a history of domestic violence charges, was arrested hours later. He had previously been given a court date after a previous incident but was released under restrictive measures, which failed to prevent the murder.
This marks the latest in a series of femicides in Greece, where many women’s lives have been tragically cut short by intimate partners. In the first half of 2024 alone, there were six femicides, including the killings of pregnant women and assaults outside police stations. Legal experts and activists argue that the justice system is failing to protect victims and expedite the processing of such cases.
Authorities and family members have urged for greater legal protections and faster trials to prevent more tragedies.
Kalamaria: They killed her and abandoned her
A 39-year-old (the ex-partner) and a 43-year-old (a friend of the abuser) attacked the woman with a sharp object on New Year’s Eve 2024. They immobilized her, killed her, and moved her body to an inaccessible, forested area in the village of Monopigado in Thessaloniki.
Zephyr: He attacked her with flammable liquid
On January 8, a woman in Zefyri was attacked with flammable material by her husband, who surrounded her and set her on fire. The woman ended up a few days later at the “Georgios Gennimatas” hospital.
Heraklion, Crete: He shot her in the head
On February 16, a 39-year-old man shot his partner in the head and killed him in Heraklion, Crete. He notified the EKAV. An ambulance immediately arrived at the scene, but the unfortunate woman was already dead.
Thessaloniki: He stabbed his wife to death
An 87-year-old woman fell dead at the hands of her 80-year-old husband, in Thessaloniki on February 22. The woman was found dead in the kitchen of her home, with obvious injuries from a sharp object in her abdomen, with her 80-year-old husband lying next to her in a semi-conscious state, probably after consuming several pills.
Agioi Anargyri: He killed her outside the police station
The murder of Kyriaki Griva in April caused strong reactions as it happened outside the police station of Aghii Anargyro and after the victim had asked for help from the Police. The 39-year-old attacker and ex-partner of the young girl attacked her as soon as she left the department and fatally wounded her with a sharp object.
Menidi: She was found dead with a knife in her stomach
Passers-by witnessed a horrific sight on the morning of Thursday, May 16, in Menidi. A woman lay dead with a knife stuck in her stomach. Her husband is the perpetrator, whom she had reported 3 times for domestic violence. The last complaint was made a few days before the murder.
Ilia: He killed his 11-year-old niece with a screwdriver
In the early hours of June 10, an 11-year-old girl was reported missing in the area of Myrtia Ilia. A few hours later, the girl’s 37-year-old uncle was arrested for the murder, who even confessed that he killed his niece with a screwdriver. The little girl had resisted the 37-year-old’s sexual assault and he murdered her and left her lifeless body in a field.
Alexandroupolis: “I killed my wife”
It was around 9 am on June 21 when the 81-year-old man stabbed his 73-year-old wife to death. The Authorities were notified by a neighbor who called EL.AS. at 09:08 saying that he saw the 81-year-old womanizer come out on the balcony and shout “I killed my wife”. He tried to end his life by drinking bleach.
Amfilochia: He shot her and then killed himself
A 43-year-old man killed his 36-year-old estranged wife and then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide in the early hours of July 13 in Amfilochia. Before the crime, the man was shouting and threatening to kill the woman, while he was known for his violent behavior.
Lamia: Dead lying in her blood
A 67-year-old man killed his 60-year-old wife and then committed suicide in the village of Pagrati, Lamia, on the afternoon of August 12. The bodies were found by the neighbors who rushed to their house when they heard the shots.