Greek families deem expanded Larissa courtroom unsuitable for Tempi train crash trial

The criminal trial for the May 2023 Tempi train derailment is being held in a newly renovated courtroom at the University of Thessaly's Gaïopolis complex in Larissa. The space was enlarged from 283.75 m² to 452.01 m² and a 109.57 m² reception area was added for the public audience.

Despite the upgrades, the Association of Tempi Victims' Families says the venue is inadequate. spokesperson Eleni Vasara told ERT that “the courtroom is completely unsuitable for holding the trial and for meeting the families’ needs,” adding that they cannot watch the proceedings from an external screen. The group also criticized the heavy police presence inside the hall. President Pavlos Aslanidis announced that the association will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, stating “for the 27 children reduced to ash, we must finally learn what burned them.”

The court’s corrective act, signed by President of the Court of Appeal Maria Lianou, formally designates the enlarged hall as the trial venue, accommodating judges, lawyers, defendants, and a public gallery.