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Beekeeper Acquitted of Arson Charges in Veikou Grove Fire
🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Beekeeper Acquitted of Arson Charges in Veikou Grove Fire

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A beekeeper was acquitted of charges related to a fire in Veikou Grove on June 4.
  • The court and the prosecutor both recommended acquittal, finding no negligence on the part of the accused.
  • The beekeeper testified that he arrived at the scene after the fire had already started and that his apiary was not damaged due to its clear condition.

A beekeeper has been found not guilty of charges related to a fire that broke out in Veikou Grove on June 4. The Autóforos Monomeles Pliemmeleiodikeio (summary one-member misdemeanor court) declared the beekeeper innocent, a decision echoed by the prosecutor who also recommended acquittal.

During his defense, the accused vehemently denied the charge of accidentally causing the fire. He asserted that he arrived at the location after the blaze had already begun. "I started from Galatsi around 11:40. At 11:45 I went to a store and the camera recorded me. I wouldn't have had time to have started the fire," he stated, emphasizing that the fire was already burning when he reached the area.

I started from Galatsi around 11:40. At 11:45 I went to a store and the camera recorded me. I wouldn't have had time to have started the fire.

— The beekeeperTestimony explaining his whereabouts and timeline during the fire.

The beekeeper also pointed out that the municipality had not cleared the undergrowth in the area. "The municipality had not cleared the area. My spot was perfectly clean. That's why my beehives weren't burned," he noted. He expressed frustration at being unjustly identified online as the perpetrator of the arson, which had incited anger among his fellow beekeepers.

The municipality had not cleared the area. My spot was perfectly clean. That's why my beehives weren't burned.

— The beekeeperExplaining why his apiary was unaffected by the fire and criticizing the municipality's land management.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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