48 hour deadline to provide explanations to the investigating officers of the Fire Department, the deputy mayor of Xylokastro – Eurostini requested and received earlier today Thursday, for the disastrous fire of September 29.

Midday on Wednesday, and after an evaluation of the pre-investigative material collected by the Arson Crimes Directorate (DAEE), the Corinth prosecutor ordered a preliminary examination for the crime of arson.

The 70-year-old vice-mayor, accompanied by two lawyers, received copies of the case file and requested a 48-hour deadline to provide explanations in person.

The presence of the 70-year-old man at the scene of the fire results from the testimony of an eyewitness, who at least initially reportedly stated that he saw and heard the suspect’s car moving in the area where the fire broke out.

Through his advocates, however, the deputy mayor denies his involvement in the devastating fire, something he is expected to repeat in front of the Fire Department officials.

For the case of the vice-mayor of Xylokastro, his lawyer issued a statement, arguing the following:

“On the occasion of completely arbitrary and untrue publications circulated in the electronic press as well as journalistic reports reproduced in the mass media, regarding the fire of September 29, 2024 in the Municipality of Xylokastro – Eurostini, hereby and in my capacity as Attorney-at-Law of Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Xylokastro – Eurostini, with A.K. details, I inform you that:
There was NEVER an arrest warrant issued against my above principal
He was NEVER arrested and
NEVER until today has he been criminally prosecuted for the crime of arson under article 265 of the Civil Code.
In order to restore the truth, which in this case is being attempted by some to be distorted, I emphasize that all other reports circulating in the press happen to be false and do not correspond to reality.
In particular, the statements regarding the evaluation of the evidentiary material and the alleged existence of sufficient evidence of guilt by Mr. Corinth’s Misdemeanor Prosecutor, in order to initiate criminal proceedings against the aforementioned principal, are untrue in their entirety.
In the event of continued reproduction of false news, we reserve the right to defend our legal rights.
Finally, and for reasons of transparency as well as restoration of the truth, I ask for the immediate publication of this in all mass media.
CORINTH, 10.10.2024
THE ATTORNEY ATTORNEY
OF THE VICTORY OF XYLOKASTRO – EUROSTINIS
ANDREAS T. VAGOPOULOS”