In an outrageous decision, the Three-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies in Kalamata today rejected the compensation claims of the “Pylos 9” for their unjust pre-trial detention, which lasted more than 11 months.
It is worth recalling that the “9” were detained on charges of participating in a criminal organization, causing a fatal shipwreck, illegally transporting third parties without documentation into Greece, and illegally entering the country. The court, convening last May to examine the already-known evidence, ruled that Greek courts lacked jurisdiction over the first two charges since the shipwreck occurred in international waters and acquitted the “9” of the other two charges, as they had not entered Greek territory until their rescue.
This evidence was known to Greek authorities from the outset. The Hellenic Coast Guard itself, in its statement issued the day after the shipwreck, acknowledged that the search and rescue operation was conducted in international waters. Additionally, the legal support team had provided judicial authorities with clear evidence proving the lack of jurisdiction during their appeal against the detention order. However, the authorities chose to blatantly disregard this evidence, extending the detention of the “9” survivors. Beyond their detention, photographs of the “9”, taken after their arrest, were circulated in newspapers and digital media, exposing them to targeted threats and putting their safety and that of their families at immediate risk.
During the review of compensation claims today, the judges, following the prosecutor’s recommendation, ruled contrary to both the law and common sense that the authorities were unaware of their lack of jurisdiction until the case was examined last May. Thus, the detention of the “9” was deemed justified. This decision serves as yet another punitive measure against the “9”, who themselves were victims of the shipwreck, denying them recognition of their right to compensation for the unjust legal treatment they suffered.
The demand for justice for the state crime of Pylos remains more urgent than ever. We will not allow it to be forgotten. Alongside the survivors, the relatives, and the friends of the victims, we demand full clarification of the causes behind the “Pylos shipwreck”, the criminal prosecution of those truly responsible, and full compensation for the victims
#FreePylos9