In a shocking turn of events, twenty defendants in the 2018 Attica wildfires case will face retrial after a controversial ruling last month saw only six people convicted for their roles in the devastating disaster. The decision to retry the defendants was made by the Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office, overturning the previous verdict that acquitted most of the accused.
The initial verdict in late April had only convicted five of the 20 defendants, former officials responsible for rescuing citizens and extinguishing the fire. These officials, including the former fire chief, received suspended sentences ranging from 15 to 111 years for criminal negligence resulting in injury and loss of life during the fire.
For the survivors still seeking justice, the retrial brings a mix of emotions. Chrysa Gerakaki, a resident of Mati, expressed disappointment with the previous trial, stating, “We were very disappointed during the trial because we felt that there is no justice.” Athina Moutafi, who lost her son in the fire, shared the emotional burden of reliving the tragedy during the trial, saying, “It was very difficult for me to testify. You need to say everything in detail so you relive it.”
Aris Herouvim, who lost multiple family members in the fire, reflected on the retrial, saying, “We feel that justice negates itself.” Despite the emotional toll of the trial, many are hopeful that the retrial will bring a more just outcome for the victims and their families.