Tempi trial: Heated exchange between victims’ relatives and Zoë Konstantopoulou sparks tension in court session

A heated exchange occurred during today’s hearing between relatives of the victims and Zoë Konstantopoulou, legal counsel representing some victims’ families and an injured survivor.

Ms. Konstantopoulou began her remarks regarding requests submitted earlier for the defendants to be physically present in court and for audiovisual coverage and broadcasting of the trial.

At one point during her statement, she referred to the Anubis Coldcase K9 Team and its contribution to locating biological material belonging to victims.

Mr. Christos Vlachos, father of Vaios Vlachos, one of the 57 victims, reacted by shouting: “As if Anubis was the one that discovered it.”

A heated argument then followed between Mr. Vlachos and Ms. Konstantopoulou, prompting the court to call a brief recess.

When proceedings resumed, the presiding judge urged all parties involved in the trial to exercise restraint.

“The court will not commit the arrogance of claiming it understands, or can fully comprehend, the pain of the victims’ relatives,” the judge said, adding: “However, for the proceedings to continue in a calm atmosphere—especially since we will hear many things from the defendants as well—I would ask everyone, individually, to show as much self-restraint as possible.”

The judge stressed that the purpose of the trial is to uncover the truth.

“Apologies for the interruption; the court itself is affected as well,” she noted.

Before Ms. Konstantopoulou resumed her statement, Mr. Vlachos said: “I would like to apologize to everyone for losing my temper.”

Commenting on the incident, Ms. Konstantopoulou argued, among other things, that “division among the victims’ relatives serves those who wish—and have from the very beginning sought—to cover up the case.”