The Jury Court of Athens has unanimously acquitted former “Sasmos” television series director Kostas Kostopoulos of the rape charge brought by actress Elena Athanasopoulos. Upon hearing the decision, many supporters of the director erupted in applause. Meanwhile, supporters of the actress expressed their disappointment by shouting “Shame” and referencing the murder case of Vasiliki in Ilia, saying, “Shame, you don’t even respect 11-year-old children.”
The 58-year-old director was taken to court after Athanasopoulos accused him of raping her in his car in the summer of 2010, following a dinner proposal. According to the actress, they had dinner at a well-known restaurant in Athens, where they consumed at least two bottles of wine. Athanasopoulos claimed she lost consciousness and woke up to find Kostopoulos having intercourse with her without her consent.
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“I didn’t feel well at all and I was afraid I was going to pass out. I told him to leave because I wasn’t feeling well. From the time we left the store to the time I regained consciousness, I have a blank memory. All I remember is that the moment I opened my eyes and regained consciousness, we were in his car, and he had penetrated my body with his genital organ and was having intercourse with me without my knowledge and consent,” Athanasopoulos stated in her lawsuit.
However, the court did not accept her complaint and unanimously acquitted the director, who had maintained his innocence from the beginning, claiming the sexual relationship was consensual.
The district attorney had previously recommended acquittal, citing gaps, contradictions, and significant doubts about Kostopoulos’ guilt based on the actress’s complaint and the evidence presented.
The trial, which began last March, saw testimonies from several well-known actors, including Maria Tzompanaki and Katerina Didaskalou.
