By Ioanna Mandrou

After yesterday’s mass arrests of those involved in the sad episodes of New Philadelphia, which demonstrated the essential weaknesses of the state machine, the investigative procedures continue today, Saturday, with the apologies of other defendants.

A total of 40 defendants are expected to apologize today in the effort made by the judicial authorities since yesterday, to soften the very negative impressions for the unfortunate handling of the Greek Police that did not prevent the incidents.

Among the defendants, who are now apologizing, before the three investigators appointed to manage the case, is a Greek, while all the rest are of Croatian origin.

During yesterday’s marathon investigative process a total of 30 people were acquitted and all were remanded in custody as they were facing heaps of serious charges, including that of a criminal organization.

  • Read what they claimed in their apologies

At the same time, the investigative authorities, assisted by two prosecutors, evaluate each element, genetic material, recordings from area cameras, testimonials and mobile communicationsin order to be led, soonin identifying the perpetrator of the brutal murder of 29-year-old Michalis Katsouris, who was buried yesterday Friday in a climate of anger and pain.

The information speaks for restrained optimism that prevails among the competent authorities for the identification of the perpetrator of Katsouri’s murderas the circle of suspects has already been narrowed down enough.

In any case, the investigative process will continue tomorrow Sunday with the completion of all the apologies of all 105 defendants, of which one is still in hospital under guard.