A Greek court has approved a request by the family of a victim in the Tempi train disaster to send biological samples abroad for specialized testing, in a decision that could set a precedent for similar cases.
The Judicial Council of Larissa ruled in favor of the family of Angelos Tzilkeridis, allowing samples from his body to be examined in foreign laboratories to help determine the exact cause of death.
Court cites lack of domestic capability
The decision came after major Greek academic institutions—including Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the University of Crete, and the University of Ioannina—confirmed they were unable to carry out the required tests.
As a result, the court authorized all necessary examinations, regardless of whether they must be conducted within Greece or abroad.
According to the ruling, the court unanimously accepted the family’s appeal, emphasizing the need for comprehensive forensic analysis to establish the precise cause of death.
The decision explicitly approves both the testing procedures and the selection of appropriate laboratories, including those outside the country.
Legal experts say the ruling could pave the way for other families affected by the Tempi disaster to request similar testing abroad, particularly in cases where domestic resources are insufficient.
