A petition launched in Greece to lift ministers' immunity from prosecution after last year's Tempe train crash has gathered more than one million signatures.
The initiative was initiated by Maria Karistianou, the mother of Marti, a 20-year-old girl who was among the 57 victims of the February 28, 2023 train crash that shocked and angered Greek society.
Maria Karistianou, who is also president of the Association of Disaster Victims, launched the petition on the first anniversary of the crash, saying many questions remain unanswered about the circumstances, the withholding of vital evidence and the fact that no Greek politicians have been held accountable from justice, as the responsible ministers have the constitutional right of immunity.
Greece's constitution states that any investigation into political wrongdoing must go through parliament, and as a result the majority does not allow an investigation. And in the end, the crimes are written off because their statute of limitations is extremely short, reports the Greek Reporter.
Tempe disaster petition gathers momentum
The petition, signed by more than 1.2 million people as of March 1, reads:
"Greek citizens demand from the parliament the initiation of proceedings for the revision of the constitution and the entry into force of the law on the responsibility of ministers, as well as the removal of parliamentary immunity in the event of criminal liability. Impunity for politicians is not consistent with morality or democracy, virtues we pride ourselves on."
Caristiano notes that "justice continues to move at a slow pace and does not inspire any confidence."
Becoming the voice of the 57 victims, the 180 injured and a society that was living in a delusion about what was really happening in the Greek railways, she made it her goal in life "to put those responsible in prison and be punished for all indifference and their recklessness.”
The investigation into the incident continues amid grief and suspicion on the part of the affected families. The tears of those who have lost their loved ones have dried, but the anger remains, still palpable.
The commission to investigate the tragedy in the Greek parliament has not yet given concrete answers. Representatives of the opposition parties left the commission, blaming the government for the "crime in Tempe". So far, 32 people have been charged, but more may follow. /BGNES
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