The trial was adjourned again for the homophobic attack against two members of the LGBTI+ community, on the evening of March 9, in Aristotelous Square.

The Autonomous Single-Member Criminal Court of Thessaloniki postponed the trial of the case to October 31, due to the obstruction of the defense counsel of one of the 9 defendants.

The public prosecutor had brought criminal charges against them for serial insults with racist characteristics, while two of them are additionally accused of attempted simple bodily harm, serially (again with racist characteristics).

They themselves had been released after the first reprieve granted, because there were no witnesses.

“I always feel like people are following me”

One of the two victims was in court today (both are 21 years old and appear as civil plaintiffs in support of the charge). In his statements after the end of the process, he said that “some of these people that day threw objects, some others cursed me”, while he emphasized that the number of those arrested is smaller than those who attacked him.

Furthermore, she pointed out that she is not afraid, but on the other hand she said that “in the last few days I feel that people are constantly following me and I fear for my physical integrity, either from the internet or in a public place”. He revealed that he has received similar attacks in the past and added that what gives him hope is the solidarity he received after the incident.

For the same episode, a second case was filed with accused 12 minors who are being prosecuted for serial insults (under the anti-racism law) and referred to be tried before the Juvenile Court (with a summons they will receive). In addition, by prosecutorial order, case files are filed against both strangers for the crime of threat and against the parents of the minors, as it is considered whether there are responsibilities against them for neglect of supervision.

The second trial was also postponed

In the meantime, on the board of the same court, the second homophobic attack that was reported two days after the incident in Aristotelous Square, with the victim one of the above two persons from the LGBTI+ community and the perpetrator this time a 32-year-old (prosecuted for insulting and threatening, with racist characteristics). And this trial was postponed for the same day (31/10) due to the obstruction of his lawyer.