In a case that sparked public concern, a 63-year-old man was sentenced to just 18 months’ imprisonment—fully suspended and convertible into a fine—for sexually harassing an 8-year-old girl in the Sykies grove in Thessaloniki. The Thessaloniki Single-Member Misdemeanor Court convicted him of violating the sexual dignity of a minor under Greece’s criminal code. The court did not grant any mitigating circumstances and converted the sentence into a daily fine of €10.
Appeal Filed, Defendant Released
The defendant filed an appeal against the verdict and was released pending its outcome.
What Happened?
According to court documents, the incident occurred on the previous Monday at around noon. The child—a Nigerian national—approached the man in the park and asked to use his mobile phone to contact her mother. Several mothers who were present reportedly observed the man’s behavior, grew alarmed, and alerted authorities shortly afterward.
Witnesses alleged he had ‘flirted with’ or otherwise inappropriately engaged the girl. During his court appearance, the man—who identified himself as a private-sector educator—denied the charges. He claimed his actions were misunderstood by the women present and said he had acted naively.
He told the court he was exercising at outdoor fitness equipment in the park when the girl approached him, visibly frightened and sweating, asking to call her mother. When the call went unanswered, her older sister arrived and said their uncle would soon pick them up.
The defendant admitted offering the two girls ice cream while they waited—and acknowledged that later, when the 8-year-old wanted to ride a bicycle, he held her by the shoulders to help her balance, citing limited space and lack of support structures in the area.
Prosecution Dismissed Defense Claims
The presiding prosecutor described the defendant’s explanations as ‘belated and entirely baseless,’ recommending conviction—a recommendation accepted by the presiding judge.