Traffic accident in the Parliament – The policeman who was driving is fine

Three years later and three postponements later, the court for the traffic accident that led to the death of the 23-year-old motorcyclist, Jason Lalaounis, with the police officer who was driving the official car of Doras Bakoyannis, being sentenced without recognition of mitigating factors, but also without any substantial penalty.

The policeman, who three years ago was driving the car that caused the traffic accident outside the Parliament, was found guilty of negligent homicide. The prosecutor even refused the recognition of mitigating factors, such as that of the previous legal life, which the police officer had used in his apology, as it was a practice that he systematically followed. Therefore, the accident cannot be considered as a deviation from the usual behavior of the accused until then. In his apology, the policeman claimed that he did not leave the scene, while they were the ones who called 166.

Iason’s family, which was present in court, says they are disappointed by the sentencing decision, stressing that they didn’t even take his diploma. As the mother of the deceased young man said, she has no confidence in the Greek justice system. However, until the last moment he had the hope that something would change, which did not happen. According to her, his driving license should be revoked.

Unfortunately, once again we are witnessing an insufficient legal framework, regarding the violation of the C.O.K. The penalties are fairly light, without having the effect of actually punishing the offender. They do not act as a deterrent neither for him, nor for future would-be offenders, as a result of which we are constantly witnessing similar tragic incidents. The discussion on the tightening of penalties is considered necessary, but also necessary.

We remind you that in March 2021, the official car of Dora Bakoyannis’ security, driving on Vasilissis Sofia Street, attempted, illegally, to turn left at the side entrance of the Parliament, causing a traffic accident. From the first moment there was a problematic management of the incident by the Traffic Police, which gave even more publicity to the matter.