Μake us preferred on Google An Athens prosecutor has recommended a guilty verdict for two fishermen in relation to the January 2021 death of former minister and veteran PASOK party official Sifis Valyrakis, whose body was found off the coast of the Evia island town of Eretria.
Prosecutor Panagiotis Iliopoulos, addressing an Athens mixed juror-jurist panel, recommended that the two defendants be found guilty of intentional homicide committed jointly. The defendants have denied involvement in Valyrakis’ death.
In the second part of his closing argument, the prosecutor said the defendants’ fishing boat left the port of Eretria and moved through the area south and north of the site, and eventually encountered Valyrakis’ inflatable craft between Pezonisi and Agia Triada.
According to the prosecutor, the men argued after seeing Valyrakis, with the defendant at the helm allegedly making dangerous maneuvers that created heavy waves for Valyrakis’ smaller boat. The two boats then approached each other, while the second defendant allegedly used a wooden oar to strike Valyrakis repeatedly, at least two or three times, causing him to fall into the water.
The prosecutor said the fact that Valyrakis was still wearing his sandals and had not put on the weights he used for diving indicated that he entered the water involuntarily.
The prosecutor further argued that both boats were moving with their propellers operating when Valyrakis came into contact with the propellers and hydrofoils of the two vessels. He said the resulting injuries caused severe head trauma, followed by drowning, which together constituted the direct cause of death.
The trial will continue with closing arguments by lawyers representing the prosecution and the defense. The jury and justices are expected to issue their verdict in the coming days.
