Can the Lina Mendoni accused of being in the Lignadi case she missed what she could and could not miss in a human being, but at least in one thing no one can accuse her of not being insightful. When in early February she spoke of a «toxic climate,» who would have thought she would be vindicated, three weeks late, when the «usual suspect» in such cases would appear Alexis Kougias;
The renowned criminal lawyer, TV monkey and failed footballer, notorious for some of the most vulgar statements made in the past regarding trials, has appeared on the scene as counsel for the former artistic director of National Theatre, initially together with former counsel Mr. Georgulea and then alone, and took care to further poison the atmosphere in a case of which the facts give off a strong smell of morbidity.
In one of his well-known rants, based on the racism and the incrimination of victims, Kougias referred to «professional homosexuals» and «incurably amorous engaged ladies» by announcing that he would insult their personalities in court.
The homophobic and misogynistic outburst of Kougias, which falls more under the anti-racist law than a procedural text, is apparently aimed at character assassination of Lignadi's victims and those who corroborate the allegations, but also to scare the many more who are ready to contribute evidence of the actor's sexually abusive actions.
Moreover, Kougias had maintained the same attitude a few years ago, when he tried to present the 15-year-old Alexander Gregoropoulos, murdered in cold blood by his client, special guard Epaminondas Korkoneas, as «hooligan».
This attitude of his, marginally raises questions of violation of the ethics he ought to observe as a lawyer, as does his first suggestive statement that he «does not take on pedophiles and loan sharks» and therefore «will not take on the case unless he is convinced that Lignadis is innocent» -it is absolutely forbidden for lawyers to hint that their client is guilty.
However, in Kouia's delirious statement there are some points that are of peculiar interest from a political point of view. This is because, as it turns out, the government may have been trying in every way in recent days to leave Lignadi to his fate, but Lignadi does not seem ready to leave the government to its own. Thus, Kougias spoke yesterday of a political persecution of his client, which aims to hurt the government, thus readily identifying the fate of the Mitsotakis government with the fate of the former director of the National Theatre.
In addition, he said that Lignadis was Mendoni's choice for the position of director (thus contradicting her) and presented the Minister of Culture (even) as a witness, as, as he claimed, he is being attacked by «business interests» because he proceeded with the redevelopment of Elliniko. And by the way, he did not fail to praise the work of Mendoni in «this great investment».
A characteristic of the delirium, however, is that Kougias is thinking of joining the “persecutors” of Mendoni, because, as he says, he violated the presumption of innocence of her client and intends to sue her for this.
Among other things, however, Kougias asked for an extension of an extra day for his client's apology, which is scheduled for today at 12 noon, in order, as he says, to have time to be informed about the elements of the charges that he managed to discredit, according to the «principles of a fair trial».
However, this is a request of dubious benefit to Lignadis, given that more allegations against him are being added with each passing day and, if he is indeed aiming to avoid pre-trial detention, as is being channelled, it may be even more impossible one day later.
Responding to Kougias' statement, the prosecuting counsel and victim's representative Γ. Vlachos said that the allegation that his client, who is a Swedish citizen, was politically motivated was an insult to intelligence, but also to justice and the investigation he had conducted. He stressed, however, that every defendant has the right to choose his or her line of defence, noting that is a first admission that Lignadis knew his accusers.
It remains to be seen what the government's reaction will be, now that it turns out that, despite its own disavowal, Lignadis remains «incurably in love with it».
By Yannis Androulidakis
