Gogo's Father Speaks to tanea.gr About the Doctor's Conviction: 'She Would Have Been 20 on Tuesday'

The father of 14-year-old Georgia, known as Gogo, spoke about the recent conviction of the doctor responsible for her death following a gastric band surgery in June 2021. "She would have turned twenty on Tuesday," said her father, Vissarion Kantounis, a priest, reflecting on the tragedy that claimed his daughter's life.

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She would have turned twenty on Tuesday.

The court sentenced the doctor to a total of 7 years and 3 months imprisonment. He was found guilty of felonious fatal exposure and forgery by the Mixed Jury Court of Giannitsa. However, he was acquitted of the charge of embezzlement of documents. The court did not recognize any mitigating factors and decided that his appeal would have a suspensive effect, requiring a bail of 10,000 euros. He is also prohibited from practicing any medical procedures until the appeal is heard and faces a secondary penalty of being banned from the medical profession for one year.

"We continue to count our pain. Our child continues to be missing from home. We have a box of bones in place of our child," stated Gogo's father, referring to the doctor's conviction. He described the decision as a moral vindication but acknowledged it cannot ease their profound loss. "This decision vindicates us partly as humans and as parents. As a priest, it saddens me, but we live in a law-abiding society where laws must be applied. The accused today bears the weight of his actions."

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We continue to count our pain. Our child continues to be missing from home. We have a box of bones in place of our child.

Kantounis expressed particular sorrow over the doctor's lack of remorse throughout the trial. "What saddens me particularly is the lack of repentance, the lack of an apology or any sign of empathy. That hurts me both as a human and as a father," he said. He revealed that he had personally approached the accused before the evidence process concluded, saying, "Ask me for forgiveness, Easter is coming." The doctor remained silent. "Now I want nothing. Now, whatever the law says and whatever the court decides," the father concluded.

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This decision vindicates us partly as humans and as parents. As a priest, it saddens me, but we live in a law-abiding society where laws must be applied. The accused today bears the weight of his actions.

The father stressed that the court's decision serves as vindication not only for the family but also for Gogo's memory. "It is vindication for Gogo, for us, for her siblings, for her friends. Unanimously, they said we were telling the truth. Our daughter did not get to live, to make mistakes, to gain experiences. Her right to life was taken away," he emphasized. He also appealed to the Medical Association to take responsibility, suggesting their handling of the case was inadequate.

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What saddens me particularly is the lack of repentance, the lack of an apology or any sign of empathy. That hurts me both as a human and as a father.