Tempi train crash trial: prosecutors weigh charge upgrades and new evidence

Prosecutor Angeliki Kourounioti of the Thessaloniki Criminal Appeals Court has signaled caution on the numerous requests submitted by support counsel in the Tempi train‑crash case. The requests include upgrading the offence of the two Hellenic Train executives from negligent homicide to intentional homicide, lifting the confidentiality of the proceedings, calling additional witnesses, and admitting electronic correspondence between the Transport Ministry and railway entities (OSE, ERGOSE, RA.S., Hellenic Train) concerning contract 717.

The trial, now in its second week, involves 36 defendants – officials from OSE, ERGOSE, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Hellenic Train and the railway regulator – charged with a range of offences from dangerous interference with transport to homicide by negligence. Prosecutors are scheduled to rule on the new requests on 1 July, while families of victims continue to press for accountability, citing evidence that Hellenic Train was aware of infrastructure problems a year before the disaster.