Athens Administrative Court orders damages for sidewalk injury and police‑baton assault

In March 2020 a 47‑year‑old woman tripped over a broken metal signpost on a municipal sidewalk, sustaining serious injuries. The 29th Department of the Administrative First Instance Court of Athens awarded her €15,000, finding the municipality solely responsible for failing to repair the sidewalk and signage under Articles 931 and 932 of the Civil Code.

In March 2019, after a football match was halted, a fan leaving the stadium was struck in the face with a police baton, resulting in permanent loss of vision in his left eye. The same court, sitting as the 29th Triangular Chamber, ordered €110,000 in compensation, holding the police liable for using excessive force beyond what is permitted by law. Both rulings stress the duties of local authorities and law‑enforcement agencies to maintain public safety and to refrain from disproportionate violence.