Athens appeals court orders retrial of former National Theatre director Dimitris Lignadis on three counts of rape

Court opens path to retrial on three charges

At a hearing on 17 June 2026, the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal accepted in full the appeal lodged by the prosecution, despite the contrary recommendation of the court's own prosecutor. That prosecutor had argued that the appeal seeking to overturn one acquittal should be declared inadmissible because it lacked a detailed rebuttal of the first-instance court's reasoning.

In this case the prosecutor does not rebut the reasoning of acquittal. Therefore the appeal for the one acquittal count must be declared inadmissible.

The three-judge panel disagreed, opening the way for Dimitris Lignadis to be tried afresh on three separate rape charges. The decision also means the appeals court will review the length of the 12‑year sentence imposed in the first trial, with the possibility of a heavier penalty.

Background of the original conviction

In July 2022, a first‑instance court convicted the actor and director by a 4–3 majority for the rape of two 17‑year‑old boys in Athens and Epidaurus in 2015. He received a 12‑year prison term, but the sentence was suspended pending appeal. Lignadis was released under restrictive conditions: a €30,000 bail bond, a travel ban, and a requirement to report to a police station three times a month.

The same court had acquitted him of two further rape charges, one involving a 16‑year‑old (some reports cite a 15‑year‑old) and one involving an adult man who never appeared in court. With the appeal now accepted, the acquittal concerning the minor is set aside and Lignadis will stand trial for that offence alongside the two original convictions, bringing the total to three counts of rape of minors.

Defense requests psychological evaluation

Immediately after the ruling, Lignadis' legal team asked the court to appoint a special advisor, a psychologist or psychiatrist, to assess the perceptual ability and mental state of the complaining witnesses. The lawyers invoked a legal provision on “vulnerable witnesses” and cited Supreme Court case law that deems proceedings absolutely void if such an expert is not used.

The prosecutor of the court supported the request and called for an indefinite adjournment to allow the expert to prepare the witnesses.

The witnesses were examined in the first-instance court with physical presence without their depositions being read. A special psychologist should be appointed as an expert and the case adjourned so he can prepare them for examination and be present during their examination by the court.

The prosecutor also asked for a social investigation of the alleged victims by the social welfare service. Lawyers representing the complainants did not oppose the request but asked the court to grant only a short adjournment rather than a lengthy postponement. The judges reserved their decision until the following morning.

What comes next

The court will convene on 18 June 2026 to rule on the defense motion. If the expert is appointed, the trial will be put off indefinitely to complete the evaluations. Should the request be denied, the substantive hearing on the three rape charges will proceed, with Lignadis facing a possible sentence heavier than the suspended 12‑year term originally handed down.

Timeline of the case