New evidence has emerged in the alleged torture of a 55-year-old woman in the city of Heraklion (Irakleio) on Crete, with police examining videos they say document prolonged physical and psychological abuse inside an apartment.
According to reports, officers recovered 11 videos from a mobile phone allegedly belonging to a 42-year-old woman charged in the case. The footage reportedly shows the victim being repeatedly assaulted, threatened and verbally abused. Investigators also allege the suspect struck the woman with a wooden club, forcibly cut her hair with a meat cleaver and taunted her while poking her injuries.
Authorities said the victim managed to escape after the suspect fell asleep. Still bound and bleeding, she freed herself and fled the apartment before seeking help.
The case came to light during a police investigation into the theft of a mobile phone. Officers tracing the device reportedly discovered the recorded videos, leading to the abuse investigation.
Authorities have arrested the apartment’s owner, although preliminary findings indicate he was not present during the alleged abuse. Investigators say the latter had allowed the 42-year-old suspect to use the property.
Moreover, police are continuing to examine the relationship between the two women and the motive for the alleged crimes.
Police said the suspect has previously had “run ins” with the law. In 2017, she was arrested in Athens in connection with the continued operation of an illegal brothel, after municipal authorities had repeatedly ordered it closed. Both the alleged suspect and victim are foreign nationals, although police have not announced nationalities.
The case has shocked public opinion in Greece because of the severity of the alleged abuse and the existence of video recordings documenting the attacks. The investigation remains ongoing as forensic experts analyze the seized evidence and prosecutors continue to build the case.
