Violanta owner released under conditions after fatal factory explosion

Konstantinos Tziortziotis, the owner of the Violanta biscuit factory in Trikala, has been released from pretrial detention under restrictive conditions. The decision follows the fatal explosion and fire at the facility on January 26, 2026, which claimed the lives of five female employees.

Tziortziotis faces charges including manslaughter through negligence, arson, and causing bodily harm. The court-imposed restrictions include a ban on traveling abroad and a requirement to report to a local police station once a month until the trial. The owner has maintained that he was unaware of any safety risks or leaks, though investigations by the Fire Service and the National Technical University of Athens identified a long-term propane leak caused by a heavily corroded underground pipe.

The release has sparked significant backlash from the victims' families. Legal representatives for the families announced plans to appeal to the Larissa Prosecutor, questioning why the judicial council reversed its previous decisions in April and June to grant release in August. The families are seeking a re-examination of the case, citing concerns over the safety conditions that led to the tragedy.