The Mati fire verdict is expected today from the Athens Court of Appeal for Misdemeanours, as the key figures involved in Greece’s deadliest wildfire prepare to hear the decision on their guilt or innocence. The case concerns the tragic events of 23 July 2018, when over 100 lives were lost in a blaze that devastated the coastal town of Mati.
The court’s president will announce the decision of the panel of judges regarding the guilt or innocence of the 21 defendants. The hearing will take place in the ceremonial chamber of the Appeals Court, where victims’ families and burn survivors have called on the public to stand with them at this crucial moment. “Stand with us in the most important victory or defeat of the Greek justice system,” reads a statement by the Association of Relatives of the Deceased and Burn Victims.
It was in this same courtroom in April 2024 that the initial ruling was delivered- a decision that outraged victims’ families and sparked intense public and political backlash, as it was deemed too lenient.
In that ruling, 15 of the accused were acquitted. Five officials from the Fire Service- Sotiris Terzoudis, Vasilis Matthaiopoulos, Ioannis Fostieris, Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Charalambos Chionis- were found guilty and handed sentences of five years, which were converted into financial penalties at a rate of €10 per day. The man whose property the fire originated from was also found guilty and sentenced to three years.
The appeals court, which today delivers the final verdict in the criminal evaluation of the tragedy, has spent 11 months re-trying the 21 defendants. The case seeks to determine who bears responsibility for the mass loss of life: people who were burned, drowned trying to escape into the sea, or survived with severe injuries. Some later succumbed to their wounds, while others continue to suffer from long-term effects. The victims and their families, who endured horrific scenes and lost loved ones are waiting for answers.
But the accused, too, await the decision with equal anticipation. Twenty of the defendants- public officials, local authorities, and emergency service leaders- are charged with offences including negligent homicide and bodily harm by negligence. Alongside them stands the private citizen accused of causing the fire.
All former officials from the Fire Service, the Region of Attica, and local municipalities- charged in connection with the deaths and injuries caused by the fire- have been re-tried from scratch. This followed a prosecutorial appeal challenging both the acquittals of the 15 and the leniency shown to the five convicted.
In addition to this appeal, the citizen found guilty of starting the fire has appealed for a reduced sentence. While he hopes for a lighter penalty, the others face the possibility of lengthy prison terms if found guilty. The prosecutor has recommended convictions for 12 of the defendants and acquittals for the remaining 9.
The judges assessed an enormous volume of evidence, including expert reports, technical findings, powerful witness testimonies, and the statements of the accused, in order to reach their decision. They also considered the recommendation of the court’s lead prosecutor, Stamatina Perimeni, who urged the court to convict 12 and clear 9 of the accused.
According to Perimeni’s assessment, key failings such as omissions, delays, and poor coordination contributed decisively to the disaster. She argued that responsibility should be assigned to top officials in the Fire Service: former chief Ioannis Terzoudis, deputy chief Vasilis Matthaiopoulos, ESKE commander Ioannis Fostieris, 199 commander Christos Golfinos, Civil Protection Operations Centre director Filippos Panteleakos, Nea Makri fire commander Damianos Papadopoulos (first on the scene), Athens Fire Division commander Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos (second on the scene), and East Attica commander Charalambos Chionis (third on the scene).
She also argued that responsibility lies with former General Secretary for Civil Protection Ioannis Kapakis, former Attica regional governor Rena Dourou, and former mayor of Rafina–Pikermi Evangelos Bournous, along with the citizen accused of arson.
Conversely, she recommended acquittals for four former Fire Service officers, one police aviation official, the former mayors of Marathon (Ilias Psinakis) and Penteli (Dimitris Stergiou-Kapsalis), and two deputy mayors of Marathon and Rafina.
Also read: Mati fire trial: Prosecutor’s plea, victims’ relatives demand justice
