The distressing circumstances faced by the judges of the Three-Member Court of Appeals in Lamia during the trial of Epaminondas Korkoneas have been highlighted in a statement by the Union of Judges and Prosecutors. Although not naming her outright, the Union refers to problematic behavior from Zoe Konstantopoulou, who acted as the civil plaintiff’s counsel. The announcement is titled “Third World Conditions in Greek Courts – The Situation Is Now Out of Control” and includes the following points:
“The lack of an institutional framework to ensure proper trial conduct is a unique issue in our nation. Judicial officials are completely vulnerable to media sensationalism, insults, mockery, and mistreatment. The situation has reached a critical point. Bullying employed as a means of intimidation is not an expression of anti-system behavior or democratic values; it is merely a tactic for self-promotion, particularly in an environment that applauds such conduct.”
The Union announces plans to formally appeal to the International Association of Judges and to submit a legislative proposal to the Ministry of Justice for urgent action.
Full Text of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors Statement:
Last week, the trial regarding the reduction of the sentence for convicted murderer E. Korkoneas concluded at the Three-Member Court of Appeals in Lamia. We will refrain from discussing the case’s specifics beyond what has been publicly reported, as we are not authorized to do so. Instead, we wish to share the shameful incidents recounted to us by members of the court panel—incidents that remained concealed from public view.
During the first session (March 12, 2025), the prosecution’s attorneys arrived late, missing the discussion about the replacement of the presiding judge. They continued this pattern in subsequent sessions. Each session was marred by aggressive attacks on the court’s actions and decisions.
Significantly, the prosecution’s lawyers openly challenged the legality of the court’s composition and called for the session to be suspended. They frequently insulted the judges, referring to them as “corrupt” and implying that the panel was “planted” or “rigged.”
They repeatedly interrupted the presiding judge, as well as the defense attorney and prosecutor during their presentations, accusing the latter of lying.
Throughout each session, they disrupted the proceedings with chants like “Shame! Shame!”, questioning the judges’ legitimacy and asserting, “You are lying!” During the final session (June 4, 2025), they hinted at intentions to file criminal charges—doing so three times—and insisted on presenting them orally, forcing the court to pause for the prosecutor to report the issue to the appropriate authority.
In the same session, one of the prosecution’s attorneys (Zoe Konstantopoulou) called the police from her mobile phone during the proceedings, loudly disrupting the hearing and demanding the immediate arrest of the judges and the sitting prosecutor for alleged in flagrante offenses.
After the verdict was announced, they claimed that “justice was served.” It raises the question—by whom was this justice served? By the very judges they had just accused of corruption?
The absence of institutional safeguards for maintaining calm and orderly trials is an anomaly that characterizes our nation alone. Judicial officials are entirely exposed to media dramatics, insults, and harassment. This situation is intolerable.
Utilizing intimidation as a method of pressure does not reflect anti-system sentiment or democratic principles; it is simply a self-promoting tactic, especially in a climate that condones such behavior.
The integrity of our institutions cannot be upheld with vague statements alone. We will urgently contact the International Association of Judges to highlight the Third World conditions within Greek courts. Additionally, we will present a comprehensive legislative proposal to the Ministry of Justice for immediate action.
We make a public declaration: such unprecedented behavior will be condemned and denounced unequivocally.
Our patience has run out!
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