This morning (29 June 2026), seven suspects in the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old boy in Kallithea appeared before the investigating judge. They are being questioned about the violent brawl that led to the teenager’s death — and their defence strategies are now under close scrutiny.
Conflicting Accounts Over Motive
Authorities are examining whether the attack stemmed from fan-related tensions or personal disputes. Several of the young suspects gave contradictory statements in their initial testimonies, failing to agree on what triggered the clash. Some claimed it arose from a personal dispute between two youths over a girl; others insisted the incident occurred entirely by chance, with no prior tension — an argument apparently intended to avoid charges under Greece’s sports violence legislation.
Defence Claims Expected
The accused are expected to argue that they did not plan the attack, were unaware anyone carried a knife, and did not participate in the fatal injury. They claim panic broke out amid the large number of people involved in the brawl. Some are also expected to say they attempted to help the 15-year-old once they realised the severity of his injuries.
Reversed Jerseys as Evidence of Obstruction
A notable detail in the case is how several suspects reacted shortly before their arrest. Police officers arriving at the scene observed that many of the youths were wearing football club jerseys bearing team insignia — but had turned them inside out to conceal the symbols, apparently in an effort to hinder identification. Investigators view this as evidence of deliberate attempts to mislead authorities.
Despite the suspects’ claims, police consider the case exceptionally strong. Evidence gathered by officers from the DIAS unit, the Immediate Action Unit, and the special service for tackling sports-related violence has reportedly built a clear picture of how the fatal confrontation unfolded — culminating in the teen’s death.