Greek prosecutors have launched an urgent criminal investigation into possible oversight failures by the Athens Medical Association and other public authorities following the death of singer Giorgos Mazonakis at a private medical practice in central Athens.
The investigation will examine both the inspections and findings concerning the practice on Karneadou Street in Kolonaki, as well as whether the Athens Medical Association or other public bodies may have failed to carry out required checks on similar medical centers.
The inquiry was ordered by Aristidis Korreas, head of the Athens Prosecutor’s Office, following revelations about the practices at the Kolonaki clinic, where Mazonakis died.
Investigation into the Athens clinic
Under the order for the urgent preliminary investigation, prosecutors will examine whether the Athens Medical Association or another competent public authority may bear criminal responsibility for inspections conducted at the Karneadou Street practice.
Investigators will also examine what actions the Athens Medical Association took after the clinic began promoting its plasmapheresis machine at medical conferences in 2023.
Plasmapheresis is a medical procedure in which plasma is separated from a patient’s blood. The investigation follows allegations surrounding the use of the procedure at the clinic before Mazonakis’ death.
Five-year review of regenerative treatment centers
The prosecutorial investigation will also extend beyond the Kolonaki practice.
Authorities have been asked to determine whether, over the past five years, the Athens Medical Association and other competent bodies have carried out legality checks — either following complaints or on their own initiative — at centers offering what are described as modern regenerative treatments.
The investigation will examine whether such centers may have put patients’ health at risk while also misleading patients for financial gain.
If inspections were carried out, prosecutors have requested that the relevant findings be submitted to the Athens Prosecutor’s Office for assessment as part of the criminal investigation.
The inquiry will examine, among other issues, whether there are indications of the offense of breach of duty. Other potentially criminal acts may also be investigated depending on the findings.
Medical association officials to be questioned
The first witnesses are expected to include people from the Athens Medical Association, who will be asked to explain the applicable legal framework and provide any information available to them from previous inspections.
The investigation comes as authorities broaden their scrutiny of centers offering so-called regenerative treatments following the events surrounding Mazonakis’ death at the Kolonaki medical practice.
