The appeal filed

The Athens Appeals Prosecutor's Office has lodged an appeal against the first-instance acquittal of two brothers, both fishermen, in the case over the death of Sifis Valyrakis, a former PASOK minister. Greek outlets reported the move on 19 October. The appeal targets a ruling that cleared the pair of intentional homicide as co-perpetrators. Reports state that the case will be heard again before the Mixed Appeals Jury Court of Athens.

The first-instance verdict

The Mixed Jury Court of Athens acquitted the two men on 8 October by a 6-1 majority. Judges and lay jurors, apart from the presiding judge, held that the defendants should be acquitted of intentional homicide as co-perpetrators. The presiding judge was the sole dissenter and argued that they should have been found guilty. Prosecutor Panagiotis Iliopoulos had proposed a guilty verdict at trial. Valyrakis died in January 2021 in the sea off Eretria.

Why the case returns to court

Because the verdict was not unanimous, the prosecution was able to appeal. Before the filing, lawyers acting in support of the prosecution, who represent the family, asked the Prosecutor's Office to review the case at second instance. Valyrakis's widow and other relatives had also submitted a request for an appeal. The Prosecutor's Office then assessed the case file and decided to appeal the first-instance decision.

Next steps

The case now moves to the Mixed Appeals Jury Court of Athens, which will hear it again. The reports do not give a hearing date. The two men, who are brothers and fishermen, will again face the charge of intentional homicide as co-perpetrators.