A court in Athens has sentenced a 39-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of his 32-year-old wife in a case that shocked Greece in 2024.
In addition to the life sentence, the court imposed a prison term of two years and six months for weapons-related offences.
Court Rejects Defense Argument
After examining the evidence and hearing the defendant’s testimony, the court found him guilty of intentional homicide committed in a calm psychological state. The verdict was reached by a majority of six votes to one.
Judges and jurors also rejected any mitigating circumstances, making a life sentence mandatory under the ruling.
Only one member of the court argued that the defendant should have been convicted of homicide committed in a state of intense emotional disturbance rather than premeditated murder.
Details of the Crime
According to the case presented in court, the defendant attacked his wife in November 2024 with a hammer before wrapping a charging cable around her neck.
Prosecutors said he then concealed her body in a storage loft inside the home, where it remained for approximately one week.
During that period, he allegedly told relatives and acquaintances that his wife was alive and had travelled abroad for work. Several days later, he contacted police and confessed to the killing.
Prosecutor Described Defendant as Unrepentant
In his closing argument, the prosecutor rejected the defense claim that the crime was committed in a sudden emotional outburst.
He argued that the defendant acted with composure after the killing, carefully concealing the body and creating a false narrative to suggest that his wife was still alive.
The prosecutor also stated that the victim had little or no opportunity to defend herself, describing the initial blow as decisive.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant showed no genuine remorse and displayed a calculated approach both during and after the crime.
The court ultimately agreed with that assessment, concluding that the murder had been committed in a calm state of mind and delivering a sentence of life imprisonment.
