Summary
| Date: | 4 June 2024 |
| Location: | 1st Mixed Court of Appeals, Athens, room D4 |
| Access: | The hearing is open to the public without restrictions. Photojournalists are not allowed to cover the trial. |
| Defendants in attendance: | Spyridon Dimopoulos, owner of the jewelry store Athanasios Chortarias, owner of a real estate office |
| Process: | Closing arguments by the counsel |
| Composition of the court: | President: Alexandra Vasilakakos Judges: Dimitrios Oikonomou, Ioanna Chatzaki Jurors: Asimakopoulou, Athanasopoulou, Kotsopoulou, Kourou Prosecutor: Stylianos Kostarellos |
Day 19 – 4 June 2024
During the 19th day of the trial, the closing arguments from lawyers of both sides took place. First were the two lawyers representing the victim’s family, in support of the prosecution, Klio Papapantoleon and Anny Paparousou. This was followed by the closing arguments from lawyer Charalambos Anagnostopoulos, for the defense of the first defendant, Spyridon Dimopoulos (owner of the jewelry store).
Advocate Ioannis Glykas, for the defense of the accused Athanasios Hortarias, requested from the court to deliver his closing argument during the next trial date.
Closing Arguments by the support of the prosecution
Klio Papapantoleon
Papapantoleon started by siding with the prosecutor’s proposal, and developed her position further on the basic elements that prove the criminal responsibility of the defendants.
She emphasized the defense’s attempt to deconstruct the victim’s personality and life, presenting Zak Kostopoulos as if he was responsible for his death. However, she highlighted the evidence presented to the court, which includes forensic reports, witness statements and video footage.
Papapantoleon underlined that the court has had the opportunity to witness the criminal behavior through the video footage, which records a brutal lynching of a helpless person. The witnesses described in detail the violent attacks the victim suffered from the accused. In particular, she mentioned the testimonies of the witnesses who confirmed the repeated violence against the victim, underlining the many kicks and blows Kostopoulos received, which were also recorded on the video.
Papapantoleon also disputed defense claims that Kostopoulos was in possession of a knife, pointing out that none of those involved were wounded, which would have been the case if the dead man had actually been holding a knife with the intention to use it.
Anny Paparousou
Advocate Paparousou, also in support of the prosecution, referred to the defense’s attempts to present Kostopoulos’ death as the result of an unknown or metaphysical cause. She pointed out the gaps in the defense’s argument and emphasized the importance of evidence demonstrating the violent attack.
She also referred to forensic reports showing the victim’s serious injuries, as well as digital footage showing the abuse Kostopoulos suffered. She emphasized that the assaults and beatings caused his death, rejecting defense theories of a predetermined death due to the victim’s medical condition.
The lawyer concluded her speech by emphasizing that justice must be based on the irrefutable evidence and testimonies that clearly show the violent attack and the defendants’ intent to harm the victim.
Closing arguments by the defense
Charalambos Anagnostopoulos (defense of accused Spyridon Dimopoulos)
Advocate Charalambos Anagnostopoulos, acting for the defense of the accused Spyridon Dimopoulos, attempted to question the credibility of the prosecution witnesses and highlight gaps and contradictions in their testimonies.
He argued that Dimopoulos had no intention of harming Kostopoulos and that his actions were in self-defense, claiming that support of the prosecution is based on speculation rather than evidence. He insisted that Kostopoulos’ physical condition may have contributed to his death and that the defense was not trying to distract the court, but to present all possible versions.
During his speech, the defense attorney reiterated his position that the forensic reports did not conclusively prove that blunt force injuries were the primary cause of death. He also claimed that the video footage does not provide clear evidence of Dimopoulos’ involvement in the fatal beatings.
Concluding, he asked the court to take into account the doubts and gaps in the evidence, saying that it is impossible to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt. He asked that the decision be based on solid evidence and not on “emotional or hypothetical judgments”, as he said.
The court adjourned at 12:20 for the next hearing, on Tuesday, 11 June 2024, when the attorney Ioannis Glykas is expected to deliver his closing arguments in defense of the accused Chortarias.
The full text of our transcript from the courtroom (in Greek) :
