Panos Ruci, the father of 22 year old Denis Ruci who lost his life at the Tempi railway disaster, begun a dry hunger strike on Monday, September 15, demanding the exhumation of his son’s body.
Twenty two year old Denis, was among the 57 victims of the disaster, which took place on February 28, 2023.
Declaring “enough is enough,” Mr. Ruci has set up at the makeshift memorial in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the names of his son and the other victims’ names are inscribed.
Ruci has raised concerns about the handling of his son’s remains.
He had requested the exhumation of his body, however the request was rejected by the appellate investigator of Larissa, Sotirios Bakaimis.
“They gave me a sealed bag, without letting me know what was inside, and afterwards a closed coffin. I was not allowed to open it. I doubt what is inside, and since they won’t grant permission for exhumation, I believe a lot is being hidden,” he told MEGA TV.
He elaborated: “They said they cannot grant permission because the case is still open. If my son is indeed inside, I believe we will find what we have been searching for all these years—that my child may have been burned by flammable materials. There could be other remains or DNA inside.” Ruci has vowed to remain at the protest site until the authorities allow him to proceed with the exhumation.
The president of the Tempi Relatives Association, Maria Karystianou, referred to the issue in a social media post, asking: “Is Greece listening?”
“I personally reported to the Prosecutor that I noticed a bone in the bag that was handed over to me, which was NOT included in either of the two (different!) forensic reports I have for my daughter!” she wrote.
“However, the prosecutorial authority DENIED the exhumation and referred me to the investigator, who persistently refuses to authorise the exhumation without providing ANY serious or lawful reasoning!!!! The usual: ‘I decide and I order,’ trampling on what is sacred!!” she continued on Facebook.
Referring to Panos Ruci dry hunger strike, Maria Karystianou stressed: “Do we have to mourn a parent as well; Panos, who today began a hunger strike? How far will you force us to go? Shame on you, corrupt officials! (We are going to continue) untill the end!”
