Lignadis trial: Back in court over three alleged rapes of minors
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The prosecutor’s appeal that had been filed in the case of Dimitris Lignadis was accepted by the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal, despite the contrary proposal of the prosecutor of the bench, resulting in the former artistic director of the National Theatre being brought back to the dock for three acts of rape.
- 17 Ιουνίου 2026 13:45
The postponement of the trial involving the former artistic director of the National Theatre, Dimitris Lignadis, was proposed by the prosecutor of the Mixed Jury Court of Athens.
The judicial officer addressed the new request of the defence, according to which a special adviser (psychologist/psychiatrist) should be appointed as an expert witness in order to assess the perceptual capacity and mental condition of the complainants.
According to the prosecutor, the court should accept the request; however, the trial should be adjourned so that the expert can come into contact with the specific witnesses. “The witnesses were examined in the court of first instance in person, without their statements being read out. A special psychologist should be appointed as an expert witness and the case should be postponed so that they can prepare them for examination and be present during their examination by the court,” she stated.
The court is expected to decide on the matter during tomorrow’s (18/6) hearing.
Earlier, however, the court decided that Dimitris Lignadis should also be tried for the three cases of sexual abuse attributed to him by the three respective complainants. Without adopting the prosecutor’s proposal, according to which the aspect in which the court of first instance acquitted the former head of the National Theatre should not be re-examined, the court accepted the prosecutor’s appeal.
It is recalled that Dimitris Lignadis was originally sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, but was released after being granted suspensive effect pending appeal, under the restrictive conditions of a travel ban, mandatory appearance at a police station three times per month, and payment of a €30,000 bail.
