Woman convicted in heinous acid attack in Athens; maximum sentence allowed only 15 years

Α first instance criminal court in Athens on Wednesday handed down the stiffest sentence on the law books to a woman convicted in heinous acid attack against another woman she mistakenly believed was a “love rival”.

The unanimous verdict was first handed down by a mixed justice-juror panel, along with a maximum 15-year incarceration, which under Greece’s still lenient criminal sentencing guidelines may be as little as five to six years behind bars. Another six months were tacked on for a conviction of disobedience.

Efi Kakarantzoula was arrested by police last year after a large-scale investigation.

Prosecutors showed that she exhibited an extreme jealousy against the victim, Ioanna Paliospirou, stalked her, procured acid and lay in wait in the central Athens district of Kallithea before ambushing her as latter entered a building where she worked. More than a liter of highly caustic acid was used, causing massive burns and scarring of the victim, and nearly proving fatal.

The court ruled that Kakarantzoula attempted homicide with intent.

The perpetrator admitted in court that she stalked the victim and an on-again, off-again boyfriend for a year before the attack.