The trial of three police officers accused of torturing 26-year-old Vasilis Maggos began at the Volos Single-Member Misdemeanor Court, with downgraded charges of dangerous bodily harm by complicity. However, the same officers—along with three others—are also facing felony charges in a separate trial at the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal of Larissa, pending a decision from the Council of Misdemeanor Courts. Father testifies: "The mental and physical rape of my child caused his death"

Downgraded charges despite felony accusations

The Maggos family requested a postponement of the trial, arguing that the case should be linked to the upcoming felony trial, given that three additional officers had since been charged with his torture. However, the prosecutor rejected the request, ruling that the cases should proceed separately.

The trial continued with the emotional testimony of Vasilis’ father, Yiannis Maggos, who described in detail his son’s horrific condition after the police beating.

Father’s testimony: “He was broken by pain, in terror and panic”

“I came home to a horrifying sight. My child was folded in two, his face distorted, broken by pain. He was ashen, unable to stand or breathe properly. He was terrified and panicked.

With great difficulty, he told me: ‘The police beat me. They tortured me. In front of the courts, in the police car, at the station.’”

Yiannis Maggos called for an ambulance at 8:19 p.m., and by 8:34 p.m., his son was taken to hospital. However, he contested the official timeline recorded in the case file, which incorrectly stated that his son had arrived at 8:04 p.m.

At the hospital, examinations confirmed serious injuries, as documented by forensic pathologists and medical staff.

“My child told me they beat him mercilessly with batons and kicked him while he was on the ground. He pleaded with them: ‘I can’t breathe. It hurts.’”

Defence lawyer attempts to shift blame

During cross-examination, the police defence lawyer, Mr. Skalimis, attempted to imply that Vasilis had provoked the officers, suggesting that he had approached them aggressively outside the courthouse.

Skalimis: “What you are testifying is based on your son’s account?”
Maggos: “Yes. He made his testimony public, and it has been recognised as truthful by the Larissa Court of Appeals.”
Skalimis: “Did your son move toward the police?”
Maggos: “I don’t know exactly, but I have photographic evidence.”
Skalimis: “Had he been in police custody before?”
Maggos: “Yes, my son was a former drug addict, but at the time of his murder, he was making a huge effort to detox. We hiked together every day.”

In a powerful statement, Yiannis Maggos condemned the police brutality that led to his son’s death:

“I was not heroin that killed my child. It was the mental and physical rape he suffered at the hands of the police.”

Solidarity rally outside Volos courthouse

As the trial took place, protesters gathered outside the courthouse in solidarity with the Maggos family, demanding justice and accountability. Demonstrators chanted slogans against the police, Volos Mayor Achilleas Beos, and cement company AGET, linking Vasilis’ death to his activism against environmental pollution in Volos.

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