In Greece, the trial of dozens of individuals accused of sexually abusing and exploiting a 12-year-old girl has commenced, a case that has captured public attention. Twenty-five men are currently detained, and the victim's mother has been accused of pimping a minor, which she denies, asserting that she was not involved in the tragedy that her daughter experienced. According to the mother, her only fault was not realizing what her child was going through; she stated that she filed a complaint with the juvenile authority once she understood the situation.
The Kolonos case, named after a neighborhood in Athens, has become one of the most notorious child sexual abuse scandals in Greece in recent years. The investigation began in 2022. The victim, a 12-year-old girl, worked as a cleaner in the store of the main accused. A 53-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping her for an extended period and selling her to his friends. According to media reports, his "client list" included 213 names.
The total number of accused individuals has reached 40, with the vast majority currently in custody. Most of the defendants, including the primary suspect Elias Mikos and the child's mother, have spent more than 12 months in pre-trial detention. The Greek constitution prohibits holding individuals without a court sentence for more than 18 months.
The trial began on Monday under tight security measures and will be held behind closed doors without public access. Before the session started, a crowd gathered outside the courthouse, chanting slogans in support of the girl.
