The trial regarding the devastating fire in Mati, which claimed 104 lives and caused immense destruction, has entered its final stages in the appellate court. The legal proceedings, which began last July, have now reached the phase of defendants’ testimonies.
Today, at the Three-Member Court of Appeal, the testimonies of the 21 defendants commenced. The first to testify was the individual accused of starting the fire in his yard that led to the tragedy of 23 July 2018. He was followed by Dimitris Stergiou-Kapsalis, then-Mayor of Penteli, who insisted that he bore “no responsibility or negligence” within his jurisdiction.
Constantinos Angelopoulos, previously sentenced to a 3-year suspended prison term for causing the fire, is the only co-defendant seeking a sentence reduction, as the prosecutorial appeal does not include him. The appeal challenges both the acquittals of fifteen defendants and the sentencing of five convicted individuals in the first-instance verdict.
In his testimony, Mr Angelopoulos, a resident of Daou Penteli, denied the charges, asserting that he did not light a fire to burn dry branches in his yard. He stressed that he avoids lighting fires during critical periods due to his concern for the environment, stating, “I had no involvement in this matter.”
He further claimed that the charges against him were based on “assumptions” and said, “I have lived in this area for many years, and nothing fire-related has ever originated from me because I understand the area’s risks and take measures to protect it.”
Beginning his testimony, the defendant expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to the victims’ families and wished a “speedy recovery” to the injured. He added, “I stand with those who suffered and pray to God for their peace.”
During his testimony, the defendant stated his increasing concern about the frequent occurrence of fires in recent years and admitted that he was considering leaving the area. This remark prompted a reaction from the prosecuting attorney, who retorted, “What are you saying, sir? I’ve been close to retirement, and I remember these areas burning every summer.”
Mr Angelopoulos claimed that when he saw the fire from his house, it was already burning, producing thick black smoke. “A fire engine from Rafina arrived and observed the situation. They asked me to connect a hose to the tank because they had no water, and they began extinguishing the fire. Volunteers then arrived, and I helped by providing branches. I prayed the fire wouldn’t cross to the green area. It didn’t, but it moved downhill.” He also mentioned that a firefighter showed him an incendiary device at the location where the fire started in Daou Penteli, which was “full of rubbish, wood, scrap metal, and tall dry grass.”
The defendant maintained his innocence, stating, “I have a clear conscience because I am not responsible for the fire. I look you in the eye and ask to be acquitted. I’ve been dragged through this for seven years, and I’ve done nothing wrong.”
President: “Do you deny any involvement?”
Defendant: “Not even as a joke, Madam President. I am meticulous. Whatever I do, I do with precision.”
Prosecutor: “When did you last trim branches?”
Defendant: “I don’t remember.”
The then-Mayor of Penteli, acquitted in the first-instance trial, insisted during his testimony that he had established a municipality “exemplary in prevention and immediate intervention.”
Mr Stergiou-Kapsalis, visibly emotional, told the judges, “I never imagined that after so much service to my country, I would find myself here as a defendant.”
Referring to the fire, he stated, “The fire showed it would consume the Holy Monastery of Pantokrator. We contacted Mr Toskas twice and urgently requested firefighting equipment. I bear no responsibility. I followed all protocols without any losses, and I had no jurisdiction to intervene. This fire behaved unpredictably, not showing a clear path. There was no negligence or omission on my part.”
President: “Tell us about the forested area opposite Mr Angelopoulos’s house.”
Defendant: “There was no source of contamination there. The damage wasn’t caused by the PPC cable near Mr Angelopoulos’s house. It was caused by something else.”
Prosecutor: “Did you learn how the fire started?”
Defendant: “No. The Fire Department took over the investigation.”
The defendants’ testimonies will continue at the next court session on 7 January.
Also read: Siblings suffocate their father and stage his death in Evia
Source: ANA-MPA
