After delays, trial on fatal crash involving MP’s escort vehicle begins

The trial of a police officer involved in a road accident that killed a 23-year-old motorcyclist outside the Greek Parliament started on Thursday, after three postponements. The officer is accused of negligent manslaughter.

Iasonas Lalaounis was killed when he was hit by a vehicle belonging to the police escort of New Democracy lawmaker Dora Bakoyannis on March 14, 2021. The unnamed police officer pulled into Parliament's Vassilissis Sofias Avenue side entrance, across the flow of northbound traffic from Syntagma Square. The 23-year-old motorcyclist was driving up Vassilissis Sofias, with a green light, at that moment, slamming into the car's rear.

The impact threw the motorcyclist onto the asphalt, causing deadly injuries to his brain, even though he was wearing a helmet. He died shortly after in hospital.

According to the findings of the investigation, the...