Police officers previously convicted dangerous bodily harm for the violent assault on Vasilis Maggos are being referred for charges of torture, according to a recent ruling by the Council of Misdemeanour Courts.

In June 2020, Vasilis Maggos, a self-proclaimed anarchist, detailed his unprovoked detention, beating, and torture by Volos police in a Facebook post from his hospital bed. Almost a month later, he was found dead in his home, leading to widespread legal and public scrutiny into police brutality. Giannis Maggos reports that police officers are now being referred for torture against his son, Vasilis:

“The police officers of the police tactical unit (OPKE) of Volos – Ioannis Skrimpas, Theofanis Bakogiannis, and Stylianos Balamotis – who were already convicted for causing dangerous bodily harm to Vasilis Maggos,along with three other officers (two from the Volos Security Subdivision and one from OPKE), are now being referred for charges of torture against Vasilis Maggos, according to a ruling by the Council of Misdemeanour Courts. Details are still unknown,” as stated in a post by Yiannis Maggos.

It is recalled that officers Theofanis Bakogiannis, Ioannis Skrimpas, and Stylianos-Rafail Balamotis were found guilty in February of dangerous bodily harm for the brutal beating of Vasilis Mangos, by the Single-Member Misdemeanour Court of Volos.

Yiannis Maggos’ statement regarding the Single-Member Misdemeanour Court’s decision on 5 February:

“The court’s decision has cracked judicial protection of police violence and arbitrariness. It achieved something that once seemed impossible: convicting police officers for beating a citizen. This decision also reflects society’s demand for justice.”

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.