Chania court awards compensation to man wrongfully imprisoned for four years

The Mixed Jury Court of Crete has awarded approximately 60,000 euros in compensation to a 71-year-old man who was wrongfully imprisoned for four years. The man had been held on charges of abusing a 19-year-old person with a disability from the summer of 2021 until his final acquittal in December.

The court unanimously decided on a compensation rate of 40 euros for each day of detention. The case was overturned following a re-examination of forensic evidence in Heraklion. A new forensic report, conducted in the presence of experts from the Crete Forensic Service and technical advisors from both sides, found no signs or injuries consistent with sexual assault, contradicting the initial findings of the Chania forensic pathologist.

The original Chania-based forensic pathologist, whose findings were central to the initial prosecution, was unable to testify in court due to illness. It has been reported that this specific case is among eight investigations involving the same pathologist, who has been arrested and referred to trial.