By Ioanna Mandou

The cycle of apologies of the 105 defendants for the sad incidents in New Philadelphia, which left behind one dead, 29-year-old Michalis Katsouris, and an extremely bitter taste among citizens for the inefficiency of the state apparatus, closes today Sunday.

The three investigators who were appointed to carry out the difficult task of the judicial investigation, are coming to the end of the related process with the apology of the last 34 accused, including one who is hospitalized in custody.

An investigator has already gone to the hospital, obtained an apology and a certain accused has already been temporarily detained.

Moreover, those who apologized before the three investigators, a total of 70 people (mostly Croats, but also two Greeks and one of Albanian origin) were all deemed temporary prisoners, mainly due to the fact that they are facing charges of criminal organization, a very serious offense that is prosecuted in felony degree.

However, during today’s investigative process, which is estimated to end in the evening, the remaining 33 defendants will be excused and then the three investigators and the two prosecutors handling their criminal treatment will decide whether they will be remanded in custody.

The cumulative temporary detentions of the defendants, which also provoked a reaction from the President of Croatia, are judged by the judicial authorities to be imposed on the basis of criminal law, mainly due to the offense of the criminal organization.

On the other hand, the tireless efforts of the investigative and police authorities continue, in order to identify the perpetrator of the brutal murder of Michalis Katsouris, with an evaluation of all data, genetic material, video from cameras, testimonies and findings from communications through mobile phones.

However, the investigative process for the entire case is expected to be long as the number of defendants is extremely large, the accusations are many and heavy and furthermore, for the time being, the natural perpetrator of Katsouri’s murder has not been identified.

The restrained optimism of the competent authorities, for the identification of the perpetrator, is related to the assessment that from the findings in their hands it will be possible to find the person who stabbed the unfortunate 29-year-old.