Petros Filippidis Trial: Prosecutor’s Statement Today on Second Rape Attempt Allegation

On Tuesday, July 1, 2025, prosecutor Andreas Karaflos is expected to present his final statement in the retrial of Greek actor Petros Filippidis, who stands accused of a second attempted rape. Having already requested Filippidis’ acquittal for the first rape attempt charge, Karaflos will conclude his address regarding the case that initially led to an eight-year prison sentence for the actor in the first instance ruling. The current hearing focuses on an alleged attempted rape incident from August 2014 involving a fellow actress. According to the indictment, Filippidis met the accuser professionally at a café in Psychiko and later offered her a ride home. Instead, he reportedly drove her to a secluded spot in Palaió Psychiko where he attempted to assault her by locking the car doors. The complainant claims she escaped by feigning a panic attack and screaming hysterically, which prompted Filippidis to let her go. During the previous court session, Karaflos argued that the actress’s account of an attempted rape in Filippidis’ dressing room at the Moussouris Theatre in 2010 was full of inconsistencies, creating ‘evidentiary cracks’ and ‘numerous doubts’ about the commission of the act. He emphasized that there was no proof of intent on the part of the defendant. Highlighting 38 contradictions in the complainant’s statements, Karaflos reminded the judges: ‘Any doubt or legal gap invalidates and does not confirm even the most heinous crime. Doubt is always in favor of the accused.’ Furthermore, the prosecutor suggested that the impression created by the complainant’s testimony resembled a broken romantic relationship rather than a criminal act. ‘These facts align more with a pre-existing romantic relationship that recently ended,’ he said. Karaflos also noted that legally, the original charges should have been for completed rape, not an attempt, stating that an attempt is absorbed by the actual offense. He added that the appellate court could not change the nature of the charge, as only the lower court had that authority. Finally, he pointed out that Filippidis does not exhibit behavioral traits typically associated with sexual offenders. Following the conclusion of the prosecution’s arguments, the defense attorneys will begin their closing statements, after which the court will set a date for the announcement of its verdict.