Greek Tempi train disaster trial continues with defendants' individual claims

The criminal trial for the 2023 Tempi rail disaster is ongoing at the Larissa Court of Appeals. Thirty‑six former and current officials from OSE, ERGOSE, the Ministry of Transport, Hellenic Train and the Railway Regulation Authority face charges of endangering transport safety, manslaughter and related offences that can carry life imprisonment. In the latest session (July 13) six defendants presented their separate defenses, arguing lack of intent and pointing to other safety measures that could have averted the crash. The defence team has also asked the court to suspend the proceedings until a parallel case handled by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office on contract 717 – the signalling and telecontrol system – is resolved, and it has challenged the set‑off order as incompatible with EU law. The solicitor for a former ERGOSE CEO, Christos Vinis, said the order is “legally and logically incoherent” and was issued “under conditions of extreme public interference.” The court will consider further requests for adjournment and objections to the indictment in the coming weeks.