In another attempt to start the evidentiary process for the rape and murder of Eleni Topaloudi, the Mixed Jury Court of Appeal of Athens will proceed.[/B] For the umpteenth time, the court will convene today, Monday, without however having reached the start of the substantive proceedings, as continuous obstructions have not allowed it.
Today, after repeated interruptions, the trial is expected to enter its essence with the first witnesses taking the stand.
Why won't Eleni's parents
The parents of Eleni Topaloudi will not be the first to testify, as planned, as at their request this will take place on March 28.
Yannis Topaloudis and Koula Armoutidou asked the court not to attend today's session, citing the inconvenience they have suffered from the constant interruptions of the trial either because of the coronavirus, or because of the resignation of the defendant's attorney, of Albanian origin, and the attempt to appoint three new ones that "blocked" the proceedings for many hours. This is because one after the other the lawyers refused to defend the accused, citing moral reasons.
Finally, after many hours of effort, two new lawyers agreed to defend the accused and represent him in court as until now the young man has chosen to remain in prison and not to sit in the dock. On the contrary, his co-accused from Rhodes was in court in all the previous sessions and when called by the court he gave his defence line by denying the charges he faces.
The round of witness testimonies
Today, if there is no other obstacle from the defence side, the trial will start with witness testimonies. Since Eleni's parents will testify on March 28, it is not excluded that today, employees of the Coast Guard who took part in the investigation of the case will testify.
Source: in.gr
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