A key witness has broken his silence in the case of the fatal beating of a 17-year-old boy in northern Greece, offering an account that raises new questions about what happened in the moments before the teenager died.

Speaking publicly for the first time, a friend of the 16-year-old accused described the events he says he witnessed on Epiphany Day in the city of Serres, when 17-year-old Angelos was violently attacked and later succumbed to his injuries. The witness insists the assault he saw was brief and claims the victim appeared able to walk and speak afterward.

“He got up and was walking normally,” the witness said. “He only had a little blood on his lips and a bit on his nose.”

Conflicting Accounts of the Attack

According to the witness, Angelos was assaulted by the 16-year-old, but the confrontation involved a small group of teenagers on both sides. The victim was accompanied by one friend, while the accused was with two others. One of those present has now chosen to speak out.

“What I saw with my own eyes doesn’t explain this outcome,” the witness said, suggesting that someone else may have attacked Angelos later. “It’s impossible that this is all that happened. Someone must have hit him again.”

The family of the victim has also expressed disbelief that only one person was responsible for the deadly injuries. Angelos’ mother has publicly appealed to anyone with information to come forward, urging witnesses to speak in her son’s memory.

Autopsy Points to Severe Violence

The witness’s account stands in sharp contrast to the findings of the forensic examination. According to the autopsy report, Angelos suffered a sudden and extremely violent attack, involving multiple punches and kicks to the head, face, chest, and abdomen.

The medical examiner documented skull and rib fractures, as well as serious injuries to the spleen and kidneys, indicating repeated and forceful blows.

Despite these findings, the witness maintains that the confrontation he observed lasted only seconds.

“I saw four or five punches. The whole thing was over in about 15 seconds,” he said. “That’s why I can’t believe it. Something must have happened before or after.”

Defense Denies Intent to Kill

The 16-year-old suspect, who has been arrested, acknowledges that a fight took place but denies causing fatal injuries. His lawyer, Manolis Vonikakis, argues that the evidence limits his client’s responsibility to a brief altercation in a public courtyard and rejects any suggestion of intent to kill.

“There is no homicidal intent,” the attorney said, citing witness statements that describe a small number of blows.