The five individuals accused in the murder of a Polish professor in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb of Athens, are set to appear before an investigating magistrate today. The case, which has drawn national attention due to its disturbing nature and international dimensions, centers on the killing of a Berkeley-affiliated academic and the suspected involvement of his former spouse.

Among the accused is a 43-year-old woman — the professor’s ex-wife — who is alleged to be the instigator of the crime. She denies any involvement and maintains her innocence, a stance she is expected to reiterate during her formal statement today.

One of the accused, a 35-year-old man, has reportedly confessed to the crime, and has taken full responsibility for the crime, claiming he acted alone and without the knowledge of his partner — the victim’s former wife. The suspect, identified as the current partner of the professor’s ex-wife, completed his testimony before the investigating magistrate. His statement comes as the remaining four suspects, including the 43-year-old former spouse of the victim, continue to give their own testimonies.

At the same time, a 23-year-old man — said to have been the driver of the rented luxury car used in the crime — is also testifying.

After the suspects present their statements, the magistrate and prosecutor will assess the evidence and determine the next legal steps for each individual.

Conflicting Claims Over Alleged Instigation

Defense lawyer Alexandros Pasiatas, representing the 43-year-old woman, strongly contested claims that she orchestrated the killing. Speaking to Greek media, he referenced a recent report suggesting that the signal for the murder was given from the woman’s residence via the encrypted messaging app Signal. Pasiatas denied her presence at the time of the alleged communication.

“There appears to be a call from an unknown man using the app on the phone of the perpetrator’s child, who was living in the house,” he said. “My client was not at home — she was at a child psychologist’s office in Haidari at that time.”

Pasiatas also downplayed the significance of the prosecution’s case against his client, stating: “In over a thousand pages of the case file, there is barely anything related to my client. Four references exist, none of which support moral instigation.”

Prosecution Argues Substantial Evidence Exists

On the other side, lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, representing the victim’s family, insisted that the case file contains compelling evidence supporting the charges. “There is a wealth of material that enabled the prosecutor to pursue a charge of moral instigation in intentional homicide,” he said.

Dimitrakopoulos added that the only person the victim was involved in legal disputes with was his former wife — a key detail in the family’s view of the case.

The victim’s family is also expected to seek full custody of the couple’s children. Dimitrakopoulos confirmed the family’s intention to request exclusive custody to be granted to the professor’s mother and brother.

Broader Implications of a Violent Divorce

Commenting on the broader context of the case, criminal lawyer Yiannis Marakakis noted that international elements, such as the professor’s foreign background and his professional life outside Greece, coupled with a bitter custody dispute, can often escalate tensions in divorce cases.

“These factors — origin, residence abroad, and disputes over custody — frequently push already strained relationships to the breaking point,” Marakakis said.