Greek authorities are seeking answers over the death of singer Giorgos Mazonakis, who was found dead at a private clinic in the Athens district of Kolonaki. His wake is due to begin this afternoon in Nikaia, with the funeral to follow on Monday.
Giorgos Kalliakmanis, Honorary President of the Attica Police Employees Union, told ERTnews on Sunday, September 13, that five critical issues had emerged from the case, focusing on how the private clinic operated, the use of medical equipment there, the handling of the situation after the singer collapsed, and the wider regulatory framework governing such businesses.
Timeline of the singer's final hours
According to details that have emerged from the investigation, Mazonakis is reported to have arrived at the premises at 13:55. A machine at the clinic was reportedly switched on at 14:14, and its recorded operation ran for about 42 minutes before ending around 14:57. At 14:45, a photograph is reported to have been taken and sent to the doctor, by which point the singer was said to no longer be conscious. Greece's National Center for Emergency Care, known as EKAB, was notified considerably later, leaving a significant gap that investigators are now examining. Kalliakmanis noted that the exact time of Mazonakis's arrival remains under investigation, as different accounts have been recorded.
Five questions raised by investigator
Kalliakmanis said the first issue was whether the clinic was entitled to have and use the equipment on site, and whether those involved held the qualifications required to carry out such procedures.
The second concerned the handling of the situation after the singer's collapse. He said the timings raised questions over whether an attempt was made to create the impression that resuscitation efforts were under way while notification of the authorities was delayed. He also said it should be investigated whether the public had been misled about the treatments offered at the clinic, which he said had been presented as procedures that could contribute to rejuvenation or anti-ageing.
The third issue, he said, was the information passed to the hospital: those present should have accompanied the patient and given doctors an accurate account of what had happened beforehand, so they had a full picture of his condition and the medical procedure that had taken place. The fourth concerned the ethics and responsibility of those offering such services, while the fifth and most important, he said, was the need for a stricter regulatory framework and systematic checks.
'They operated without any checks'
Kalliakmanis said that, based on the outcome, it appeared such clinics had been operating without any checks. He asked who verifies whether a premises legally holds such equipment, whether it is used by properly qualified specialists, and whether the services advertised match what is actually provided.
He said a member of the public visiting a premises that presents itself as a legitimate clinic has no way of knowing which machines are permitted there, who is entitled to operate them, or what qualifications each professional holds. He said people cannot be expected to research a doctor's qualifications or check whether the equipment used for a given procedure is legal, and said it was up to the relevant authorities to take on that oversight.
Criminal charges and possible reclassification
Kalliakmanis said the key question was what happened during the period between the machine being switched off and EKAB being notified, and why so much time passed. Two doctors currently face charges of exposure resulting in death, and he said how the case develops will depend on the findings of the investigation and the evidence gathered. He said that if further evidence emerges, a different legal characterisation could be considered, including the possibility of homicide with possible intent, though he stressed this was his own assessment and it would ultimately be for the case file and the judicial authorities to decide. He added that the broader issue extended beyond this one clinic to how premises offering medical or related services are supervised, the equipment they use and the qualifications of those carrying out procedures, and called for a clear regulatory framework and genuine checks to prevent similar incidents.
Wake and funeral arrangements
Mazonakis's family said his body would lie for a public wake at the Church of Agia Triada in Nikaia, described as his beloved parish church, from 19:30 on Sunday, September 13 until the early hours of Monday, so friends, relatives and fans could pay their respects.
The family said the funeral would take place on Monday, September 14 at the Third Cemetery of Athens, within a close family circle. In their announcement, they said it was with a broken heart and unspeakable sorrow that they shared the news, and asked that instead of wreaths, those who wished to help make donations to the organisation Humanity Greece.
