A man has been sentenced to two years in prison without suspension after attacking his pregnant partner in the central Greek city of Larissa.
The penalty was imposed at the Single-Member Misdemeanor Court of Larissa under fast-track trial procedures. Following the verdict, the court president ordered that the defendant be taken straight to prison to serve the full sentence while his appeal is processed.
Court Proceedings and Testimony
During the trial, the defendant denied that he had slapped his partner. He also informed the court that he did not wish to participate in an intervention program through the judicial system's criminal mediation process.
The victim had earlier delivered testimony describing the moment the dispute occurred. Despite detailing the argument, she requested that the court show leniency toward her partner.
The prosecutor ultimately recommended that the defendant be found guilty of domestic bodily harm committed against a pregnant woman. In her closing argument, the prosecutor noted that the victim was scared at the time and had consequently chosen not to escalate the incident or draw further attention to it.
Accepting the prosecutor's sentencing proposal in full, the court president ordered two years of immediate imprisonment with no suspensive effect granted for an appeal.
Criminal Mediation and Legal Framework
Under Greek domestic violence laws, criminal mediation offers an alternative pathway for resolving certain misdemeanor offenses involving partners or family members. The process typically involves court-directed counseling and support programs aimed at preventing future abuse, but it requires the explicit agreement of the accused person to participate.
When a defendant declines mediation or when criminal charges proceed to trial, cases involving immediate arrests are often handled under the fast-track procedure known in Greece as Autoforo. This system enables single-member misdemeanor courts to hear cases rapidly following an incident, ensuring swift judicial determination.
Location and Judicial Region
Larissa is the capital city of the Thessaly region in central Greece and serves as a primary judicial and administrative hub for the surrounding area. Local misdemeanor courts in the city handle domestic abuse cases and other criminal offenses occurring within the regional district.
