Appeals Prosecutor ponders overturning suspension of sentence in Lignadis rape case

The Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office will study the possibility of an appeal against the decision of the Joint Jury Court in the case of the former artistic director of the National Theater Dimitris Lignadis, who was declared guilty, by majority, for two of the four cases of rape against minors and was released with restrictive conditions despite being convicted to twelve years in prison.

By urgent order, the head of the Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office, Maria Gané, requested that the minutes and yesterday’s court decision for Dimitris Lignadis be sent to her immediately so she can study the possibility of an appeal.

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Issues the Prosecutor will ponder

At the same time, Ms. Gané asked state prosecutor Konstantinos Kountrias to immediately forward his report to her, which will include his proposals on guilt, penalties and suspended execution of his sentence, as well as the court’s decisions and minority opinions.

The Athens Appeals Prosecutor’s Office will study whether the evidence was properly assessed and whether the decisions of the majority of the judges were sufficiently justified both for acquitting the director for one of the 2 rapes, for the sentences imposed for the 2 rape convictions and for his release from prison after his conviction, with the granting of a suspension of execution of his sentence until he is tried in an Appellate Court.