Thessaloniki: 9 defendants found guilty for the attack on Boutaris – Psomiadis acquitted – Video

9 of the 12 defendants were found guilty by the Single-Member Criminal Court of Thessaloniki for the attack on Yannis Boutaris that took place on May 19, 2018, during a commemoration event for the Pontian Genocide, in Lefkos Pyrgos Square.

The court acquitted the former prefect of Thessaloniki Panagiotis Psomiadis and acquitted two other defendants.

He imposed prison terms of 6 to 11 months in the remaining 9 out of a total of 12 referred to trial.

All those convicted, including a police officer, were given a three-year suspension while their appeal had a suspended effect on the execution of the sentence.

“Like every year, most famous people and politicians are present at the event for the Pontian Genocide. I headed to the spot to give an interview to a channel in Thessaly. I heard yelling and extreme phrases when the mayor arrived. I honor and respect him. I said, however, that he is a “political travesty” who sold Macedonia on TV. He named Skopje as Macedonia, said to abolish the parades. I didn’t nod. Where is this recorded? I told a group, who moved towards him, that “it’s not right, respect his age”. I only saw that the mayor ran away. I was doing an interview, I didn’t move. There is not a single photo, not a video. I did not participate while I later condemned the episodes. I was saddened by what happened, I have known him for 50 years. Our differences are only political,” said Panagiotis Psomiadis, during his apology.

The remaining 7 of the defendants who attended the trial apologized and denied the charges. All said they were at the site, some as pontoons participating in the event and others by chance. Two reported swearing, but none admitted to hitting the 76-year-old (then) G. Butaris and damaging the car he got into to escape. They even pointed out that they did not know each other.

In the previous trial, Giannis Boutaris testified as follows:

“I was at the White Tower for the event. There was a lot of people. Going to a seat, I passed in front of Mr. Psomiadis, who was cursing me, called me a traveli. He waved his hands and then three groups of people moved towards me. They started cursing me, pushing me and hitting me on the back and head. Mr. Psomiadis urged them to move towards me.

My security took me to the car. I “ate” a full bottle to the head. I fell because they were pushing me and hitting me. One broke the windshield and another closed the car door. Then I was taken to the hospital for tests. I had nothing. Only Mr. Psomiadis can I recognize today, from these persons”.

A total of 12 people, including the former Prefect of Thessaloniki Panagiotis Psomiadis, were referred to the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court for trial, for disturbing the peace, insulting (by reason and action) and for damage to foreign property, as the case may be, while P. Psomiadis was referred for incitement to committing a misdemeanor.

The above were charged after a preliminary examination conducted by the Thessaloniki Police. As part of the investigation, video footage from the attack on the mayor was also examined.

The former prefect of Thessaloniki and former regional governor of Central Macedonia was attributed with statements he made on the sidelines of the event urging the perpetrators to take action against G. Butaris.

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