Rena Dourou on Her Acquittal in the Mati Case: ‘I Was Made a Defendant by a Lie’

In a statement following her acquittal in the trial regarding the Mati tragedy, Rena Dourou stated, ‘In a tragedy of such magnitude, the minimum respect for the memory of the victims and their families does not allow even a trace of joy.’ She emphasized that no one can celebrate judicial justice when the state mechanism failed to prevent the loss of our fellow humans. ‘I fully sympathize with the relatives of the victims whose pain, grief, and anger lead them to consider everyone, especially the highest-ranking political figures, as guilty,’ she highlighted. The current acquittal decision by the Three-Member Court of Appeals follows previous rulings from the Council of State, unanimous decisions from lower courts, and administrative court decisions, all absolving her of any responsibility for the Mati tragedy. Despite this, two ministers from New Democracy openly intervened in the judicial process and pre-announced appeals. The judges of the Court of Appeal upheld their duty, rejecting ministerial advice and any form of collusion. Dourou noted that she was not only a victim of cover-up but also the worst kind of deception—being made a defendant by a lie. She accused those who exploited the memory of the dead and the suffering of their families of trying to erase the work done during her tenure as Regional Governor of Attica, where 1260 projects worth €2.7 billion were signed with unprecedented transparency. Over seven years, she silently endured the entire legal process, advocating that politicians involved in criminal cases should face justice without hiding behind parliamentary immunities or misleading statements. Many who once pointed fingers at her as guilty now find themselves embroiled in criminal cases and should submit to the prescribed legal process. Dourou expressed gratitude to all those who stood by her and promised to continue the fight for justice everywhere.