The accomplice in the murder of the 15-year-old student Alexis Grigoropoulos committed two years ago in the Exarchia neighbourhood fell into persistent controversy in his testimony before the court about what happened in that tragic night of December 6, 2008.
The policeman Epaminondas Korkoneas is accused of the murder. It appeared he shot directly to the gathered group of youths who celebrated a name day. He was patrolling in the central Athens district together with his colleague Saraliotis Vassilis, who was testifying in court the past two days. His evidences clearly show that the two policemen have initially conspired to say that Korkoneas shot in the air and then the bullet rebound.
Saraliotis confessed to the Prosecutor Haralambos Lakafosis in Amfisa’s court where the case is conducted, that he and Korkoneas have agreed to adhere to this version. Vassilis Saraliotis tries to put all the blame on Korkoneas having in mind the irrefutable fact that the bullet came out of his gun. Thus Saraliotis hopes to relieve of any responsibility for what happened in the fatal evening, when they were patrolling.
Despite the efforts of the court judge to make him recognize his own responsibility for what happened, Saraliotis was completely indifferen both before and after the murder, when he heard the cries of the people gathered around the dead body of the 15-year-old child.
“I think that I did what I had to and my conscience is clear. I'm sorry for what happened, but I am not responsible. I could not stop him. What my colleague has committed is his problem” said Saraliotis. “There was no reason to shoot at the group then… I had to follow Korkoneas who suddenly came out of the police patrol. I went up Navarinu Street too. I saw him walking on the sidewalk to Dzavela Street. I heard voices in the distance and throwing of objects. I got scared because I saw people standing in front of Milos café. I had to throw a smoke ball. The result was that they stopped throwing objects. We could step back. I saw that Korkoneas made several steps backwards. I told him “let’s go.” The situation was getting calmer. And the moment I said “come on” and turned my head to see, I heard shooting. I got crazy. I thought we had time to get out. When I turned I saw his hand moving down. It was at shoulder height and then down. I think he shot high to frighten them. We escaped almost running. We informed of the attack as we came at the police station.”
In the examination before the prosecutor, Epaminondas Korkoneas said that he returned to the street in Exarchia neighborhood, where there was a collision, although he was aware of the danger. He said the police patrol was attacked by 15 people, but could not describe exactly what happened. He remembered that a bottle was thrown and considered the attack not serious, but a one that could have been avoided. He confessed that he has not fulfilled his duty as a policeman and if he could turn back time he would never have returned to the place of the attack. He broke all the 19-months defence and said that because of a thrown bottle, he left himself to anger, went beyond the lines and shot twice, killing Alexis Grigoropoulos
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