Petros Filippidis Verdict Awaits in Greek Court

The news in Greek

1. γνωστός
   αυτός που είναι ευρέως αναγνωρισμένος από πολλούς ανθρώπους ↩︎
2. δικαστήριο  (n.)
   ο χώρος ή η οργάνωση που ασχολείται με την απονομή της δικαιοσύνης ↩︎
3. κατηγορώ
   υποστηρίζω ότι κάποιος έχει διαπράξει κάτι κακό ή αδίκημα ↩︎
4. απόπειρα  (f.)
   η προσπάθεια για την επίτευξη κάποιου σκοπού, ιδιαίτερα αν αποτύχει ↩︎
5. παρακολουθώ
   βλέπω ή εξετάζω προσεκτικά για μια περίοδο χρόνου ↩︎
6. αρνούμαι
   δεν δέχομαι κάτι ως αληθές ή να μην συμφωνώ να κάνω κάτι ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: What is Petros Filippidis accused of?

Question 2: Why is the verdict significant in Greece?

Vocabulary

Greek	English
γνωστός	known
δικαστήριο  (n.)	court
κατηγορώ	accuse
απόπειρα  (f.)	attempt
παρακολουθώ	observe
αρνούμαι	deny

Read the full story

The long-awaited verdict in the case of Petros Filippidis, a prominent Greek actor and director, is expected to be announced today by the Mixed Jury Court of Appeals in Athens. Filippidis is charged with two counts of attempted rape in a trial that has garnered significant public attention, particularly amidst the ongoing #MeToo movement in Greece.

Filippidis, who has been a well-known figure in Greek theatre and television for decades, stands accused of two separate incidents of attempted rape. The first allegedly occurred in 2010 within his dressing room at the Mousouri Theatre. The second incident reportedly took place in 2014 within his car after a professional meeting. Both alleged victims have detailed their experiences, claiming that the encounters were non-consensual, contrasting with Filippidis’ assertion that any interactions were consensual.

The initial trial saw Filippidis absolved of a continuous rape charge due to insufficient evidence, though he did receive a suspended eight-year prison sentence on the mentioned attempts. However, his conviction was met with appeals, leading to the current deliberation at the appellate court. The outcome today will mark a significant chapter in one of the most followed legal battles spurred by allegations of sexual misconduct in the Greek entertainment industry.

The prosecution, led by Deputy Prosecutor Andreas Karaflos, has argued that the testimonies provided by the alleged victims are inconsistent, advocating for Filippidis’ acquittal due to reasonable doubt. In contrast, several testimonies from fellow actors during the proceedings painted a dark portrait of Filippidis’ professional conduct, often referring to alleged violent outbursts and inappropriate behaviour.

Today’s decision holds ramifications for all parties involved. An acquittal would support Filippidis’ claim of being unfairly targeted in what he describes as a career-destroying conspiracy. Conversely, a guilty verdict would reaffirm the experiences shared by the accusers, who have faced an emotionally taxing legal process over the past year. The case also serves as a notable reflection of the broader societal shifts surrounding accountability and sexual misconduct within Greece.

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