Vangelis Batarlis, the well-known former police officer and TikTok personality, has been acquitted by the Athens Court of Appeal for Serious Crimes of charges related to the purchase, possession, and sale of 153 grams of cocaine.
Case Background
The case came to light last August following the arrest and pre-trial detention of Batarlis and a friend who hosted him at his home — where the cocaine was discovered in the friend’s possession. Initially, Batarlis was placed in provisional custody, but after two months, the Athens Council of Misdemeanor Judges granted his appeal, releasing him under restrictive conditions.
Defense and Trial
Throughout the trial, Batarlis — who has over half a million followers across social media platforms — categorically denied any involvement with or knowledge of the cocaine. His legal team, led by attorneys Theodoros Karagiannis and Sakis Kehagioglou, consistently maintained that he had no connection whatsoever to the drug-related charges.
In her closing statement, the presiding prosecutor recommended acquittal, and the court ultimately ruled Batarlis not guilty of cocaine trafficking.
Reaction to Verdict
Emotional following the verdict, Batarlis expressed profound relief and gratitude for being vindicated. He thanked his defense lawyers and all those who stood by him during the ordeal.
In a joint statement, Karagiannis and Kehagioglou said: “We express our satisfaction with Vangelis Batarlis’s acquittal. From the very outset, we stressed that he had absolutely no connection to the cocaine trafficking charge. This decision fully restores the truth — as well as our client’s honor and reputation.”