Last Monday, the trial of those indicted as responsible for the deadliest rail disaster in Greece’s history, started, three years and 23 days after the tragic event. But it didn’t get very far.
Amid chaotic scenes, jeers and protests, the presiding judge only got to reading the name of the fifth out of 36 defendants, before the court adjourned for Wednesday, April 1.
There has been a lot of talk about the alleged shortcomings of the court setup, with lawyers threatening to boycott proceedings when they resume. There are a total of 483 seats available, including 257 in the courtroom, and that includes the defendants. It is true that acoustics are poor in a room outside the court, seating 76, and another room, with another 150 seats, and the television sets are too small, but crowd noise is overwhelming and all rooms are overcrowded, with attendants including busloads of people who came to express support to victims’ relatives and survivors, and representatives of local bar associations, who claim they are there as observers.
Nikos Plakias, a parent of twin daughters, who, together with a niece of his, were among the 57 dead, said that some better crowd control and seating arrangements should suffice “for those of us who will be present for the whole trial.” And, in any case, he added, the trial should not be moved from the city of Larissa, the one closest to the disaster site, near the Vale of Tempe. Those who want to move the trioal to “serve their agenda… will find me ranged against them.”
Plakias has often clashed with other relatives and their lawyers, including a political party leader, some of whom would like to see the trial extended indefinitely.