Mati wildfire case: Supreme Court prosecutor seeks review of controversial court decision
Georgia Adelini, acting on her own authority, has directed the Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office to examine all aspects of the decision, including the acquittals, the recognition of mitigating circumstances for the convicted, and the general methodology in sentencing.
The court’s decision had previously allowed six convicted individuals to be released, despite receiving sentences ranging from 3 to 111 years, due to a provision allowing sentence redemption at 10 euros per day. This aspect of the ruling, particularly, drew sharp criticism from victims’ families and survivors, highlighting a perceived lack of justice.
The convicted individuals include high-ranking fire department officials and a local resident, blamed for inadequate response and management that failed to prevent the catastrophic loss of life and property. The case has been marred by allegations of poor coordination and a failure to adequately warn and evacuate people, with significant criticism also directed at the decision not to deploy boats for rescues at sea.
This move by the Supreme Court prosecutor could pave the way for a reevaluation of the sentences and potentially stricter repercussions for those deemed responsible for the mishandling of the fire crisis.