A total prison sentence of 14 months, which he converted into community service, was imposed by the Autonomous Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki on the 27-year-old Greek-American who insulted and threatened an airline employee and two police officers when, due to his late arrival at the “Macedonia” airport Thessalonikihe was not allowed to board his flight to Larnaca.

The court found him guilty of insulting and threatening (both serial acts), without recognition of mitigating circumstances, and, as the conditions for suspension of the sentence were not met, it was decided, with the defendant’s consent, to convert it into community service (1 hour/ day and a total of 420 working hours), as the specific institution applies with the recent legislative changes. Against the decision, the 27-year-old appealed to be judged by the appellate court.

“He arrived at the counter 5-10 minutes before the flight left, the boarding gate was already closed,” the airline employee told the court, who testified that the 27-year-old insulted her, while punching the plastic protective glass on her counter company. “We are prepared to handle these types of situations, but something like this had never happened to me before,” she added.

As the Police were notified, the defendant continued the same behavior, hurling insults and threats at the police. “He threatened us that you will be out of a job tomorrow,” testified, among others, the two police officers who were called to testify as witnesses.

Examining as a defense witness, his father 27 years old he attributed his son’s behavior to the longing he had to “meet us (s.s. parents)” in Cyprus, while he apologized for his behavior.

For his part, the 27-year-old spoke of a misunderstanding, apologizing to the court. “I cursed myself […] They heard something other than what I said,” he said, emphasizing that he does not know the expressions attributed to him in Greek, while denying that he hit the Plexiglas. “This type of behavior does not represent me or my family,” he added, expressing his remorse and apology for the incident.