Greek Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis officially inaugurated a new high-capacity courtroom — designated Room D5 — at the Athens Court of Appeals today. Accompanied by Deputy Justice Minister Ioannis Bougas and General Secretary of the Ministry Pelopas Laskos, Floridis cut the ribbon on the newly renovated space located on the ground floor of the country’s largest judicial complex.
A Modern Space for Major Trials
The spacious courtroom is designed to host large, multi-defendant trials — serving as the second-preferred venue after the Court of Appeals’ ceremonial hall, where landmark cases such as the Golden Dawn trial and the ‘Mati’ wildfire case were previously held.
Room D5 has already been put into use: it recently hosted the trial concerning the deadly apartment explosion in Ampelokipoi, in which two women were convicted while Nikos Romanos and two other men were acquitted.
Key Infrastructure Upgrades Announced
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sofia Lignou, President of the Athens Court of Appeals, members of the court’s administration, Appeal Court Presidents Dimitris Kontopoulos and Kostas Sargiotis, and numerous judicial staff.
During his speech, Minister Floridis highlighted infrastructure investments exceeding €5 million at the country’s largest appellate court. He noted ongoing efforts to increase judicial staffing and announced plans for a major new project: an underground parking facility with 1,500 spaces beneath the civil division of the Athens First Instance Court (formerly the Peace Court).
Completed Improvements
President Lignou outlined two major upgrades already completed at the Athens Court of Appeals: full air-conditioning installation across all courtrooms — eliminating heat- or cold-related trial suspensions — and replacement of flooring across 5,500 square meters of the building.
She also described enhanced security measures, including the installation of a turnstile at the Lukareos Street entrance and the permanent closure of a ramp leading to the former Peace Court. That ramp had remained open for years and was infamously exploited by a 90-year-old man who entered the First Instance Court armed and injured judicial personnel.
Next Priorities
The court’s administration identified elevator modernization and roof renovation as its next key infrastructure priorities.