Path cleared for Tempe disaster trial

The judicial probe into Greece’s deadliest obstruction catastrophe astatine Tempe successful precocious February 2023 is moving toward trial aft a tribunal rejected further calls for further inquiries.

In a 14-page order, Appeals Court President Maria Lianou ruled that “all indispensable and due investigative acts” had been carried out, rejecting requests for reopening the probe. The order, sent to the appellate prosecutor, who will acceptable a trial date, besides forwarded grounds to the Larissa authoritative to analyse whether crimes were committed successful the handling and instrumentality of victims’ remains.

Lianou cited autopsy reports confirming deaths by incineration, dismissing demands for exhumations oregon testing for hazardous materials. She stressed that nary grounds of amerciable cargo was recovered successful train cars oregon videos examined by police. “At this procedural stage, there is nary request for further investigation,” she wrote.

She besides rejected motions to prosecute further individuals, including contractors linked to railway upgrades, noting that work laic with ERGOSE employees. Separate memoranda alleging fiscal misconduct will beryllium sent to the Athens prosecutor.

On issues of occurrence resistance, Lianou said train cars met standards and precocious temperatures explained the demolition of seats and interiors.

Reports by technical advisers for victims’ families, she added, did not outweigh authoritative adept findings.

Lianou warned against delays that could trigger the statute of limitations for misdemeanor charges.

She clarified that caller investigative measures could still beryllium ordered by the tribunal erstwhile indictments are formally issued, astatine which constituent medicine periods are suspended.

The Tempe collision successful 2023 killed 57 people, sparking nationalist outrage and scrutiny of Greece’s railway information system.

The trial day is expected to beryllium announced this week.