Greece’s Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrisochoidis, has defended the police investigation that led to three arrests 16 years after the deadly Marfin bank attack, saying the evidence had long existed but had not been properly utilized because of mistakes in the original investigation.
Speaking to Greek broadcaster SKAI, Chrisochoidis said police investigators were able to systematically review and evaluate the available material, ultimately gathering what they believe is sufficient evidence to support criminal charges.
“The material was already in the police archives,” he said. “A large volume of evidence had to be reassessed using all the investigative methods available to the authorities.”
According to the minister, senior police officers signed off on the investigation’s conclusions before the case file was submitted to judicial authorities. He stressed that it is now up to investigating judges and prosecutors to assess the evidence within the framework of the rule of law.
Anonymous email not the decisive evidence
Chrisochoidis also rejected claims that the renewed investigation was based primarily on an anonymous email sent to the police.
“The case file contains thousands of pages,” he said. “An anonymous email cannot convict anyone. A conviction requires convincing evidence and supporting material, and that evidence has been submitted to the investigating judge.”
His comments came after defense lawyers argued that the case was initiated by an anonymous message and questioned the quality of the evidence.
Multi-agency investigation
The minister said the investigation had been underway for years and involved close cooperation between several police departments, including the Homicide Division, the Counterterrorism Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
He said experienced investigators combined evidence from different sources while forensic specialists used modern technology and legally available investigative tools to analyze the material.
Responding to criticism over whether photographs taken 16 years ago could reliably identify suspects, Chrisochoidis said every side was fulfilling its role.
“Lawyers are doing their job, the police are doing theirs, and so are the investigating judges and prosecutors. That is how democracy works,” he said, adding that Greece’s judicial system provides the necessary legal safeguards.
Comments on other investigations
The minister also commented on the recent death of a 20-year-old man during a police pursuit in Argos, saying that “the police exist to arrest murderers, not to kill.”
He acknowledged that criminal proceedings would follow, describing the incident as deeply troubling.
Chrisochoidis also addressed the recent arrests over a fatal arson attack in Thessaloniki that claimed the life of Vagia Nestora. Praising the officers involved in the investigation, he described the suspects as acting in a professional and premeditated manner, while adding that he could not say whether they intended to kill the victims.
