The trial over the killing of 16-year-old Kostas Fragoulis begins today, with the police officer who shot him appearing in court on charges of murder with possible intent. The fatal shooting occurred during a police chase over €20 worth of petrol. Demonstrators have planned to gather outside the courthouse in Veria.

The case and charges

The proceedings are taking place at the Mixed Jury Court of Veria, where the 37-year-old officer stands accused of fatally shooting Fragoulis, a young Roma boy, during a police pursuit in western Thessaloniki in December 2022. The incident began after the teenager left a petrol station without paying for €20 of fuel.

The officer, who held the rank of constable at the time, faces charges of murder with possible intent in a calm state of mind, as well as unlawful use of a firearm. These charges were brought following a ruling by the Thessaloniki Misdemeanours Council, which was in agreement with the public prosecutor’s assessment.

At the time, the officer’s lawyer, Alexis Kougias, criticised the prosecutor’s findings, calling them “full of falsehoods, entirely arbitrary and defamatory.” He took particular issue with the suggestion that his client had racist motives, warning that the new Criminal Procedure Code prohibits prosecutors and judges from making defamatory remarks about defendants, adding that failure to comply could lead to disciplinary action.

Public outcry and protests

The killing of Kostas Fragoulis sparked widespread protests on 13 December 2022. Thousands took to the streets – students, community groups, unions, activists, and supporters – filling central Athens with a rallying cry that became symbolic: “ΔΙΚΕΟΣΗΝΙ,” (a misspelled version of the Greek word for “justice,” originally written that way by the victim’s family and later adopted by the movement).

What happened that night

According to the case file, the events unfolded in the early hours of 5 December 2022. After leaving a petrol station without paying, Fragoulis was pursued by the Motorcycle Patrol Police Unit (DIAS). During the chase, the teenager was shot in the head and later died in intensive care at the Ippokrateio Hospital.

Initially, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) framed the incident as a necessary response, claiming that the teenager had attempted to ram the officers’ motorbikes and that shots were fired to stop a perceived threat. However, this narrative began to fall apart after audio recordings related to the incident were released, raising serious questions about the official account.

Awaiting justice

The officer was released pending trial, under the condition that he does not leave the country—a decision made by a judicial council following a disagreement between the investigating judge and the prosecutor on whether he should be held in custody.

Ahead of the trial, family members of the victim, friends, and members of the Roma community have planned a protest outside the courthouse in Veria, demanding justice be served.

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