3 found guilty in connection with 2017 Mandra flood tragedy

A three-member misdemeanor appeals court in Athens announced on Tuesday the conviction of three of the eight defendants charged in connection with the 2017 flash floods in Mandra, west of Athens, which claimed the lives of 25 people.

The judges acquitted all eight defendants of negligent homicide by omission and bodily harm charges. However, following the prosecutor's recommendation, the court found former Mandra mayor Ioanna Kriekouki, the former head of the Elefsina urban planning office, and a regional employee guilty of causing a flood, a misdemeanor offense.

Each defendant received a suspended prison sentence of three years. Kriekouki was sentenced to 14 months, while the other two received 18 months each.

In an uncommon step, the court provided an in-depth explanation before announcing its decision. The judges cited the former Mandra mayor and the head of...