The case concerns three defendants: the former president of OSE (Greece’s state railway infrastructure authority), the former CEO of OSE and the legal representative of Interstar (a private rail-freight contractor working within OSE’s network).
Following multiple recesses to address procedural requests raised by lawyers on both sides, the court eventually set the new hearing date for January. The defence request to dismiss the civil action for procedural reasons provoked anger among the families.
“This is the fifth time we have come here and we are still not moving forward on the merits of the case because of procedural arguments,” said Maria Karystianou, president of the Tempe Victims’ Relatives Association.
“I demand respect from the other side, because they are mocking us in court,” said Panos Routsi, father of one of the victims.
“This is the fifth time we have come here just to hear about omissions and negligence, without ever learning what happened,” said Eleni Papageli.
“The interventions in the administration of justice are rampant. We will fight these interventions to the end,” stated Zoe Konstantopoulou.
The hearing had already been postponed in November after objections regarding the limited capacity of the courtroom.
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