The nine defendants who were referred to trial in the spontaneous procedure for the homophobic attack against two members of the LGBTI group were released community, last Saturday night, in Aristotelous Square. The Autoforo Single Member Criminal Court of Thessaloniki adjourned the hearing of the case due to the absence of witnesses and automatically lifted their detention.

At their expense the public prosecutor had brought criminal proceedings for insultserially, with racist characteristics, while two of them are additionally accused of attempted simple bodily harm, serially (again with racist characteristics).

12 minors who were released are also accused of the first act with a verbal order of a prosecutor and will be summoned to be tried by the Single Member Juvenile Court (with a summons they will receive).

In total, there are four case files for the case: one for the adults who were referred to Autoforos and one for the minors, while by order of the prosecutor, case files are being filed against strangers for the crime of threat, as well as for the parents of the minors as it is being examined whether there are responsibilities against them for neglect of supervision.

The procedure before the Autoforos for the 9 adults started around 3pm, with the accused (they were in custody) stating that they wish to be tried today. For three of them (foreigners), the court appointed interpreters at their request (Georgian and Albanian, as the case may be).

However, as the prosecution witnesses were absent, the court adjourned the trial to March 22. The victims (both 21 years old) were not present in the courtroom, but were represented by lawyers who stated that they were representing a civil action.