Tempi Trial: State supports prosecution only for “human error”

The Greek state declared its support for the prosecution against four defendants in the trial over the railway disaster in Tempi, which continues on Monday morning (April 27).

Specifically, the declaration concerns the night-shift station master at Larissa Railway Station, his colleagues from the afternoon shift, as well as the then Head of the Larissa Inspection Department of the Traffic Support Service (railways) of Central and Southern Greece. Through its representative from the State Legal Council, the Greek state declared support for the prosecution on the grounds of moral damage.

The lawyer cited a document from the Minister of Transport stating that the accident constitutes an event of exceptional gravity for public safety, due to the serious infringement of the legally protected good of transport safety.

The ministry considers that there are grounds for support due to the actions and omissions of the defendants. As a result, moral harm to the state was caused, along with damage to citizens’ trust in state institutions and related financial loss.

Next hearing delayed due to courtroom changes

Meanwhile, the trial continues with the final declarations of support for the prosecution.

At the previous session of the Three-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies in Larissa, on Holy Monday, most of the more than 230 parties supporting the prosecution listed in the indictment—namely relatives of victims, injured individuals, bar associations, and the Hellenic Train Drivers’ Union “Panhellenic Union of Traction Personnel”—submitted their declarations.

Some stated in court that they do not wish to participate, while others announced for the first time their intention to do so, as occurred in the last session with the Greek state through its representative from the State Legal Council.