Greek court to issue verdict in murder trial over death of former minister Sifis Valyrakis

The Mixed Jury Court in Athens will announce its verdict on 8 October 2026 in the trial of two brothers accused of the murder of former PASOK minister Sifis Valyrakis. The forthcoming decision will conclude a trial that opened one year ago, following extensive pre-trial proceedings and more than 60 evidentiary court hearings. Seven court members, comprising three professional judges and four jurors, will determine whether the death of the veteran political cadre on 24 January 2021 was an intentional homicide or an accident at sea. Both the defense and the family of the deceased await the ruling after nearly six years of legal scrutiny.

Maritime confrontation and indictment charges

According to the formal indictment, the fatal incident took place on a Sunday afternoon in the maritime area off Eretria, situated between Pezonisi and Agia Triada. Valyrakis was aboard his inflatable boat preparing for underwater spearfishing when the two professional fishermen encountered him with their fishing vessel. Prosecutors allege that an altercation broke out between the parties, leading the two brothers to execute dangerous maneuvers around the inflatable craft. The charging document states that the defendants acted in concert with converging actions aimed at neutralizing Valyrakis.

The indictment further details that the defendants struck Valyrakis on the upper portion of his body at least two to three times using a wooden pole, causing him to fall into the sea against his will. While already injured in the water, the former minister was struck by the propellers of the fishing vessel due to the water vortex created around the hull. Valyrakis sustained multiple severe injuries and died in the sea, where search teams later recovered his body on Sunday afternoon. Prosecutors also charge the brothers with abandoning the victim helpless to conceal their actions, failing to notify authorities despite knowing the Coast Guard was conducting a search.

Complete denial by the defense

The two accused fishermen have categorically denied all charges throughout the investigation and judicial process. During their pleas before the court, both brothers maintained that they never sailed out to fish on the day Valyrakis died. The defense has rejected the claim that their vessel participated in any altercation or had contact with the former minister near Pezonisi and Agia Triada. Their legal position asserts that no criminal conduct occurred on their part and that the prosecution fails to establish their presence at the scene.

Prosecution calls for guilty verdict

In his final address to the court, the trial prosecutor adopted the indictment in full and requested that the bench declare both defendants guilty of joint intentional homicide committed in a calm state of mind. The prosecutor argued that the findings across more than 60 hearings leave no doubt that the former minister died as a result of criminal behavior sparked by a trivial dispute. He condemned the actions of the two fishermen during and after the altercation.

Even at the point where the man was floating struck in the sea, they abandoned him helpless and left, and not even later did they help locate the body.

The session of the Mixed Jury Court will reveal whether the three regular judges and four jurors align with the prosecutor's recommendation or reach a different judicial determination regarding the charges.