The Athens Single-Member Misdemeanors Court acquitted actress Panagioti Vlanti of criminal defamation against fellow actor and director Giorgos Kimoulis. The case stemmed from a complaint Kimoulis filed against her following public statements she made in 2023 to the press and television, alleging abusive behavior by Kimoulis toward colleagues.
Court Accepts Prosecution’s Recommendation
Following the prosecutor’s recommendation, the court dismissed the charges. In her closing statement, the prosecutor noted that Vlanti expressed opinions she genuinely believed to be true—based on confidences shared with her by fellow actors—and therefore lacked criminal intent.
Vlanti’s Defense: Acting on Moral Duty, Not Malice
During her testimony, Vlanti maintained she had not fabricated facts or told lies. She stated she relayed only what actress Dora Chrysikou had confided in her about her own experiences working with Kimoulis. Vlanti described her remarks as stemming from a moral obligation to support colleagues who had come forward with similar allegations—and emphasized she acted without personal gain or motives of revenge.
Kimoulis Accused of ‘Character Assassination’
In his complaint, Kimoulis referred to the public allegations as a ‘character assassination’, claiming they were part of an organized effort to tarnish his reputation through televised appearances and media statements.
Chrysikou Testifies on Alleged Verbal Abuse
Actress Dora Chrysikou also testified, describing incidents of verbal abuse she said she endured during her professional collaboration with Kimoulis. She added that such behavior had long gone unreported by actors in the industry.
Zeta Douka Attends Trial
The trial was attended by actress Zeta Douka, Kimoulis’s primary civil litigant in a separate case concerning alleged abusive conduct toward her.