13 January 2012
Arios Pagos has overruled the decision
by the Rodopis Board of Appeals. As a result, the ten month imprisonment
sentence (with a three year suspended sentence) imposed against the
Abbot of the Vatopedi monastery (who is already pre-detained) and monk
Arsenios is null and void. Similarly, the decision against Judge Maria
Psalti, who was erroneously found guilty for breaching the court’s
confidentiality at the incitement of the two monks, has also been
overruled.
Arios Pagos has also ordered a new trial
to be heard by the Board of Appeals in Thrace on the ‘wrapping up’
issue of the trial at the Rodopi regional court on the ownership status
of the Visthonida Lake. Different judges will be sitting during the new
trial.
The Supreme Criminal Court of Arios
Pagos, adopting the suggestion by the attorney general, N Tsagga, has
accepted that the decision of the Board of Appeals was not adequately
justified, was decided on insufficient evidence and was inconsistent and
deficient on many points.
The new trial is expected to hear
evidence on a lighter indictment against all three, since Arios Pagos
has deemed that the publication of just the result of a judicial
conference is no longer a punishable act. Therefore, it has already been
proven that no crime has been committed in this case.
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