The conviction of the two accused police officers for the joint rape of a 19-year-old woman at the Omonia Police Station The Athens Mixed Jury Court ruled.
Regular judges and jurors did not adopt the prosecutor's recommendation and A majority of the jury found the police officers guilty for the crime of rape, while one of them was unanimously convicted of the offense of personal data violation for having recorded the incident on camera.
As for the third defendant, Also a police officer, he was acquitted of the charge of aiding and abetting rape.
On Friday afternoon (July 10), the verdict is expected to be announced, and the sentencing decision.
As a reminder, The prosecutor had requested that they be acquitted due to reasonable doubt the two police officers who are alleged to be the principal perpetrators of the gang rape, stating, among other things, in his closing argument: «They have committed serious disciplinary offenses, but despite their moral reprehensibility, the situation is not clear-cut in terms of criminal liability.».
During his speech, he also clarified that was not convinced by the complainant's testimony that she had not consented to any sexual act. «The complainant’s behavior is not consistent with that of a frightened person who has been subjected to violence. She showed no signs of distress or refusal; she did not say “no,” nor did she show any resistance. She did not leave the room even when she was alone, even though the door was half-open and unlocked. She did not call out for help. She could have gone out and asked for help at the domestic violence office located next door» he said characteristically, adding that the A subsequent change of mind on her part cannot be considered a lack of consent.
He justified his position, particularly when the audience expressed its dissatisfaction with the motion to acquit, stating: «We are not here to judge the character and conduct of the defendants; we are not a court of character. That was decided in disciplinary proceedings. To convict, we need conclusive evidence. It has been proven that the sexual act took place, but it has not been proven that there was no consent.».
